Favorite Aunt Awards

I have a lot of people to thank for this award... obviously my sisters and brother who made it possible for me to be an aunt. All the times they have come over or we got together so I could play with the kids. All of the activities and things we have done together that I was included in. And of couse I'd like to thank my little nieces and nephews for making me, Lindsay, their favorite aunt. (sorry sisters ;) )

I'll have you know that it hasn't been easy. I've been wrestled with, trapped, changed dirty diapers, put kids in time out, punched/slapped hard enough to get a bloody nose, got hit in the face so hard while dancing that my tooth stabbed through my lip (I didn't realize at first because my niece was crying and I kissed her head better-then realized the blood was from me). I've been bit, stuck at the Nintendo for days, my things taken from my room, homework colored on, had a blow out all over me, thrown up on, peed on, my phone drooled on so it stops working, have had the "booger badge" on my shoulder, and much much more.

"Favorite Aunt Award" you ask? Seems like i'm bitter, yes...but that's not the case. This is a small list of things that make me love them more. I know that sounds weird, but it's true. I think these things happen so I recognize that my babies are not perfect (hard for me to believe). They make me grateful for the times I DO have with them, the fact that they want to play with me, the fact that they want to be like me, and the fact that they love their aunt. I'm so grateful to be the favorite aunt of 10 little guys that I love like crazy! Here are a few reasons why it's the best thing in the world- and to show that there is a better list of things than the first one I listed...

When I walk in the room and they yell my name and run to hug me, the first time they say my name, playing nintendo with the boys, when they tell me i'm beautiful and they love me, all of the funny/adorable things they say, when they ask me to play with them-no matter what it is, when they make cards for me- sometimes at random times, when they fall asleep in my arms, when they want to listen to my music and wear my clothes so they can be like me, when I walk in the room and they share all of their toys, when they want me to read to them, when they prefer me over someone else, when they cry when I leave the room, when they ask their parents if I can 'babysitter' them, when they make me crafts, when they want to sit by me, when they have 'cuddle time' with me, when they have sleepovers with me and steal the whole bed, when they give me hugs and kisses, when they hold my hand, when we 'fight' to see who loves who more, when they are my constant shadow, just to name a few..

Maybe my Favorite Aunt Awards are from BOTH my lists. The medals/badges I get are cereal necklaces, bruises, kisses, bloody noses, pictures they draw of me and the kids, pee-blow outs- throw up, sea shells or rocks they collect and share, boogers on my shoulder. I'm grateful for it all because being an aunt is the best thing in the world!

Thanks kiddos. I love you most. :)

Ode to Abigail

I realize I posted like...yesterday, but the day after the boating trip was one of my best friends birthday. I'm behind on the days...but hey, at least I got to post right?
Tuesday was Abbey Maughan's birthday! This birthday was different because I could really only text her and celebrate... She has moved back East for the summer with her parents and is having a grand old time. (she has an awesome blog that documents great stories-go ahead and creep if you want) However, I miss her a ton. It seemed like after she left-everyone was gone and there was nothing to do. For reals. Abbey is one of the prettiest girls i've ever seen. She is so smart and so much fun- a few reasons why I was so intimidated by her at first... I was so scared to talk to her because I was just "Russell's twin" and would never get up to her level. Well, Russell is a smarty-pants and Abbey (and ocassionally Ellen) would come and study math with eachother and I would just sit and eat or do my homework nearby so I could ease my way into at least talk to that pretty Abbey. Well, if there was a time that I would be in the other room, Abbs would text me and tell me to come in and say hi, or would hear me sing and say I had a good voice (what a suck-up hehe). She was so outgoing and willing to branch out, thank goodness for that. We became best friends really quickly and I loved every minute of it! From sitting around talking, watching chick flicks, listening to music (aka-me listening to her amazing voice), I could do anything with Abbs and have a blast! I was able to open up to her so quickly and tell her everything! She is an incredible listener, is so understanding, and honestly wants to help. She loves to plan things and is a stresser, which at times can be hilarious. She can just laugh at herself when I try to calm her down. It's the best! Abbey is the kind of person that is always ready to get up and do something fun! She's always there to talk to and is so fun to listen to as well. Especially about the gospel. Wow, this girl knows her stuff... I was always blown away at our Preach My Gospel study group or in just every day activities. She really sees the church in everything and applies the teachings so well. She amazes me. Abbey really does make me want to be a better person. I hope I can be at least half the person she is now. Really, she is going to be something big later in life- look out world. I miss her like crazy and can't wait to see her again.Happy Birthday Abbey. Thanks for everything.

Miss you beautiful. Friendly love you.

Boating

Thought I might post... This week my parents, Russell and some of our friends and I went boating! It was so much fun to be out there in the water with some of my favorite people. Here are some pics-

supporting the flip flop tan lines

My baby. This was my old life jacket..I was forced to get a new one last year

Sick of my hair flyin everywhere- naturally I put my jersey on as a dew-rag..thing

Me pretending to be good at wakeboarding

As you can see, I just laugh and sing instead of anything cool

My cute boys excited to jump in

oh boy...i've been putting this off for too long..

Since the beginning of this blog, my brother Russell has "begged" me to tribute a post to him. Of course I was already planning this post for later in life...when I had nothing to post but should post, when he is leaving, or possibly when i'm liking him a little extra one day..Well blog, today is the day.

Why is this so difficult for me you ask? Well reader, I challenge you to post about your best friend in the whole world that you've had your whole life.
Someone you had chicken pox with.

Someone that would "help you with homework" and print off two copies.

Someone you got in trouble with, but would take the blame.
Someone you've played with every single day.

Someone that is very similar and very close to you.
Someone that when people hear your name the first thing they ask "oh you're Russell's twin?"

Someone you didn't mind being called "Russell's sister" rather than your own name.

Someone who you have very rarely fought with, and when/if you would-you would laugh about it minutes later.

Someone you can always talk to- about anything.

Someone who knows when you're upset and tries to cheer you up.

Someone who you are protective of...especially when it comes to girls.
Someone who pretends to threaten any boy that comes near you.

Someone who would "stay up" and watch a chick flick with you.

Someone you secretly try to compete with but usually lose.

Someone who doesnt make you feel like you always lose.

Someone who has been with you every step of your life.

Someone you are proud of.

Someone you have always looked up to.

Someone you call Superman because he is literally your hero.

Someone who you miss after only 2 days of not being with them.

And someone who will soon be leaving you for 2 years.

ouch.

Well shoot blog, this is tough... My twin brother just got his mission call. Are you kidding me? I have been mentally and emotionally preparing for this..well sort of. Whenever people bring it up I usually say "No words" and change the subject. It is too hard to think about still. My siblings would always talk about how they will miss him, but can't imagine how much i'm going to. How true that is. I've had 3 siblings go on missions, sent my best friend and some other people out on missions this year..this one is going to be hard for Lindsay.

So his mission call..Before he opened it I couldn't eat, I could hardly breathe, I actually had to go sit down. I cried of course.. and let me tell you reader-I don't cry that much. I work very hard to not show that to the world. Well, Hamberg Germany is taking my brother from me for 2 years. Lucky. I'm so proud of him. He is going to be an incredible missionary. He is so good with people, is so so smart, is a leader, and has a strong testimony. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited for him and I want him to go. I'm just going to miss him. I've got a serious love-hate relationship with missions. Good thing I still have a little time left to prepare myself.

Lots going on

Wow i've been busy lately. It seems like there have been a lot of big/fun events that i've been wanting to blog about but just couldn't find time for. So, here it goes!

Lacrosse playoffs! Wow, the last few games we were saying how we just needed to win this game in order to get INTO the playoffs. Well, our last game in the season was one of the best games we've played in and we won! So we got into the playoffs! We were way excited. The first round we beat Olympus i think 15-9 or something like that. The next round was against Jordan- our rivals who always beat us in the playoffs and who has taken state for the last 3 years. We tied them, so had to go into overtime which is two 3 minute halfs..tied that again (12-12) and had to go into sudden death (first to score wins). A few minutes of playing and we scored! We were so stinkin stoked! I could hardly believe we beat Jordan in the semi-finals. The final game was up at Park City. Wow was I nervous. My body was already pretty tired because I play a position where you have to just run the whole time on offense and defense (sort of like an outside halfback in soccer) and my coach doesn't substitute people. And I was in the flippin finals! Wow I was worried but SO excited! It was really fun to have announcers and what not though. I'm sorry I can't go into very much detail about the game, but it was a nail biter! We ended up tied 7-7 and had to go into overtime like we did with Jordan. Park City scored 2 goals and we got really nervous..but came back and ended overtime 9-9. Sudden Death again! We were so so tired! At time outs we would get wet rags and just cool down as much as we could and catch our breath. It was so intense! Sudden death lasted about 5 minutes until a girl on their team got a yellow card and had to come out-so they were a man down. We got the ball and got down to their goal and someone shot...and missed. In lacrosse if the ball goes out of bounds behind the goal, usually whoever is closest to the line gets possession- So I sprinted so fast and was reaching towards the line with my stick and i beat the girl. I got the ball and right in front of the goal was a girl on my team. WIDE OPEN. I passed the ball and she threw a rocket at the goal. FOR THE WIN! WE WON STATE! It honestly felt like a dream. We were all hugging and jumping around screaming. Wow it was so fun! I was so so so tired! After getting the trophy and celebrating we went up to a hotel and swam and had a bbq. I just like sat in the water because I was so worn out, but it was a blast! ...I'm a state champion...hahah All those hours of conditioning and practices and games for months were worth it. (oh and yes..i stole these pictures. oops)

Pictures- 1. Funny goggles and mouth guard
2. Me and my buddy Nessa Milne after the game
3. After the winning shot- I know I still have my mouth guard and look really good...stop laughing.
4. State Champion team

Next event- Graduation! Wow I could hardly believe it was actually my turn. It was a great ceremony... ok you caught me...it was really boring and I wanted to sleep the whole time, but I was on the first row...dang. That night my family all came over and we had a bbq for Russell and me and Ricky because it was his birthday. Then later, we had the graduation party at the Rec. Center. It was way fun and I stayed there all night. After, Ellen Larsen Tobin Prince and I went to Southwood park and tossed a frisbee. Yes that's right. at 5 in the morning. We played until the sun came up and then went home and crashed. What a good way to start off the rest of my life. :) Here are some pics from graduation...

(top ) We are goofy-mom didn't like that. (bottom) Me and my boys :)

(left) Best friends and future roomates! (right) My fans. kidding! My younger girls.

(top) Best friends, sisters, other halves, heroes. (bottom) The fam. :)

I went to Lake Powell for my senior trip...We are all going to share pictures and what not, so I will wait and post about that later. :)

One Graduation Down...

Seminary graduation was last week. Holy cow it makes the end of the year seem even more real. I can't believe I'm almost done with high school...Don't get me wrong, i'm excited to go to college and what not. But i've enjoyed high school. I've had a blast! I guess i'm just one of those people that don't want to grow up! I mean...I have coloring books, Little Mermaid pillowcase, blanket and a poster in my room, and stay up late just to watch old Disney movies. Maybe that's just my form of denial. But I love where I am. It's been great so far :)

- In photos- (left) Thomas Calton, me and Russ. My brothers ;)

(right) Alex Cottle! He is the cutest kid ever! He has a normal class when i'm in Peer Tutor, but we are still good friends. He gives me the biggest hugs and gets so excited to see me-probably because I'm so excited to see him. I got to sit by him at graduation, that just made my day :)

my turn to rebel

Yes, that's right... i'm a rebel. I was accepted to BYU and recently got housing taken care of. I say i'm a rebel because I was raised a Ute...when I was accepted my dad was in mourning and wore his Utah scrubs for a few days after that. He is 7-0 with his kids all going to the Y. (well Russell was accepted, but is going on his mission first- NUTS!) So here I am..getting ready for college.

Housing was a stressful thing! My best friend since elementary, Christie Beck, and I have been planning on rooming together pretty much our whole lives. Our friend Shalece Kehl and her friend have been planning/hoping to all get an apartment together. So the first day you sign up for a chance to apply is before you even apply for school. Why? I'm unsure.. You had to get on the computer RIGHT at 8 and sign up..unfortunately Christie's computer did something weird and she had to re-try and had a later time- meaning that she couldn't apply for a room till a day after me. (i'm sorry if you can't follow this...it's a confusing process) Anyway..my angel mother was on the computer trying to figure things out for a total of 3 days. Shalece (her friend) and I signed up for our rooms in Heritage- Horne Hall. Everything went great. But that night a girl chose my room and there was ONE bed left in our apartment and Christie still had to wait. Well the Becks are living right reader, because Christie got the bed! Prayers work..can i just say that? Wow! Christie e-mailed the girl that was in my room and kindly asked her to switch, NOT A PROBLEM! Everything worked out..What a great thing. I can't believe this all worked out. Makes me excited.

Funny- I typed in BYU into google images and this came up..Excited for this..