Recently, i found a gem

it's difficult to be sad after looking at his joy. i mean, come on! it's a pineapple!

i hope you enjoy this as much as i do :)

stay classy, Raela 

First Letter! :)

need i say more? :)

dyqhr3w. nz bdx

School officially started on Monday.

As in yesterday. 

Although there are a lot of things that are the same this school year, there are a bunch of things that are different, and it’s been throwing me off a bit. I realized that I am not a huge fan of change, even though I know you can’t progress without it. Let me rephrase that. I like change, after it becomes the norm again. 

             I still room with my cousin, and I love it. We have a new roommate, and she stole our cupboard that we had last year. Unfortunately, I keep opening hers up and seeing all sorts of awesome food, yet I can’t eat it BECAUSE IT’S NOT MY CUPBOARD ANYMORE. How annoying.

 Another big change is with my friends. Most of my friends last year were 18 year old boys that were going on LDS missions the following year. So this year, I get to make some new ones with my cousin. I’m quite nervous about that. I don’t like meeting new people. AH! 

But I think the biggest change that will happen is when my best friend leaves for Minneapolis, Minnesota. When I first met him, I could walk to his apartment.  

5 minutes. Not bad. 

And then summer came. We kept in contact by texting and calling, and occasionally visiting each other. 3 hours away. Not a very common thing. But totally worth it. 

Now that I am back at school, I keep expecting to pass him on the way to the institute building like I used to, or for him to be 5 minutes away again. 

Nope. 

He’s now 20 minutes away, and since I don’t have a car, he makes the commute. What a guy. BUT in 22 days, he will once again be 3 hours away again. In Provo. 

And then pretty soon he’ll be 23 hours away. And I won’t see him for two years.

What a change.

but change is a good thing Rae..  

:) so super cute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEN-kHe5o_Y

this should be every boy's reaction to a kiss :)
the end.

today is the start of something great, i just know it.

I don't really know how many of you will ever read this, but I thought I would thank you for all you do in my life. You have influenced me and have shaped me into the person I am trying to become. I am so grateful for all of my friends, and my lovely family members, you always know how to make me smile and forget my problems. Plus, you never judge me for being weird, and i appreciate that. Thanks for the memories, and here's to having many more in the future! 

Melanie- Aside from anyone in my family, I have known you the longest. We've been super good friends since at least third grade! It seems as though we've gone through EVERYTHING together! Sports, school, camp, boys, breakups, pretty much everything! I'm glad we can be competitive together, but still be best friends, you push me to work my hardest, even when I want to stop. Thanks! I am so glad that you are always there for me to come talk and take random trips up to Park City together! I love you so much, and am grateful for you in my life. :) 

Carmen, Melanie, Lauren :)

Lauren- Oh Lauren, we weren't really friends until.. when we were on the same soccer team, which i want to say was eighth grade? not sure, but it hasn't been super long, which is sad. But one of my first memories with you was actually at soccer. (This was when you were way good, and i was struggling a lot with my skills) You would always partner up with me, and it made me feel included and loved. You have always been the one to include others, and i really admire that about you. I also love our dedication. In high school track, this really stood out to me. You always pushed me to be better, and I thank you for that. You are so much fun to be with, and you crack me up all the time! I hope we play more in the future! I love you Lou!

Carm, Me, Mel, Lou

Carmen- I love you. You are such  joy to be around! I love hanging out with you, and just talking. I suppose we became good friends in high school, and probably out EFY trip. Good times. Actually, I would say that we were good friends before that, my good Possum Pal! :) haha, you always know how to put a smile on my face, and your hugs are the best! there are so many times when you'd listen to me talk, and then you would just hug me, and i would feel better. Kinda weird, but not really :) I love you Carm, and I cannot wait to hang out this summer! You will never be a black possum!

Michelle- wow, you know me oh so well. You helped me get thru 9th grade, because we were the only ones with the same lunch. I would say that is where we really became friends. EFY topped it off, and you helping me with boys just made me so happy. I love you Michelle! I still can't believe that you're getting married, but it's so great. You are so amazing, and I love whenever we hang out, even if we just end up drawing with chalk or talking. All is fun with you. :) Hopefully we play more before you get all married, but even then, We'll party like it's 1999. :) am i right? yes, yes i am :)

With Kasha!

Kasha- Where to begin!? You are amazing. I was so lucky yo be your roomie last semester, and even luckier to be your cousin. I always have so much fun with you, and you are my best friend. You are so smart, and you have the best advice. I appreciate all you've done for me! :) We have SO many memories, and i cherish all of them. I can't wait for school to start up again, because we'll make more memories, and they will rock. Thank you for ALWAYS being there to listen to me, you understand me so well and I am never scared to come talk to you. Thank you for always having my back. I will always have your back too. I love you Kasha!   

Me & Kelton :)

Kelton- You make me so happy. I have been so blessed to get to know you better this year! You have become one of my bestest friends, and i love every second that we are together. I honestly look up to you so much. You have such a strong testimony and desire to do good, it is SO impressive. You make me want to be so much better.  I love how close you are to my family, Jacob especially. You are so cute with kids, it kills me! I trust you with my life, and i can tell you anything. Thank you for being yourself with me. We are weirdos, but it just works. I love everything about you. I just love you! I am so excited for you to serve the people of Minnesota! You will be one heck of a missionary! :) No matter how things play out, I will always consider you as my BFF :) I love you Kelton!

Riss 'n Rae

Riss- I can tell you anything, and you won't even look at me weird. Thanks for always inviting me to stuff. I love you so much. You are such a gem, and I am so lucky to have you as my sister. You are always there for me. I am so excited for you to start school today! Thanks for making me so happy and being there to cheer me up. You are amazing. I want to be like you. Not only are you gorgeous on the outside, but you have the sweetest heart, and you are so genuine. i look up to you so much. You don't even know. I love you Riss!

Jake and Me!

Jacob- Even though you are only eight, you are one of my favorite people to hang out with! You are so strong, and you have such a great attitude. Thanks for always loving me, and being on my side (for the most part). I love you so much, and i would do anything for you. You are so funny too! the things you say keep me laughing for hours! You are the best littlest brother I could ask for. :)

pals!

 Jeff- Pal, you are my pal, and no one else. We re so alike, it's scary. You've been here for me my entire life. Even when you were on your mission, you helped me out so much. I love you! i enjoy hanging out with you! we have such fun times, and you come up with the weirdest things to do, but they are so much fun! Thanks for being so honest with me and listening to me. I can always come to you for advice with any problem, and you'll help me see how simple the answer is, you are a genius. I'm glad we live in the same house, because I don't know what i would do without you. You are going to make a great husband and dad someday. I want to marry someone like you. Thanks pal!

Joshie!

Josh- I've been getting to know you better, which is great. I love spending time with you. We kinda just connect, probably because we are both nerds or something. You are so smart, and I am so proud of the young man you are becoming. Your wit kills me, and i wish i had it! You are super nice too, and you always let me use our stuff. I hope we hang out more before i leave off to school again. Except, we won't play basketball, because we are both pretty terrible at it. :) love you bud!

Rae and Heather

Heather- I know I am not the nicest sister to you. But I think it is because you are so cute! I was an ugly child, so seeing you grow up so fast makes me a bit jealous, not gonna lie. But I do love you, even though i don't act like it sometimes. You are so nice to me, even when me and Riss cause you so much grief. Thank you. I hope we can become closer friends, because I do love hanging out with you. You are so special to me. :) I love you Heather!

Mom and Dad- You guys are simply the best parents in the world. I love you both so much! i know I was not the perfect child, but I was lucky enough to be blessed with perfect parents. You have raised 6 kids, and they all have turned out pretty good. Thank you so much for being faithful and loving the gospel. You have shown me how i want to raise my children, and how important loving each other is. Thank you for your patience and time you devote to each of us. Thank you for making me love the piano. Thank you for all the soccer you've paid for. Thank you for taking us on trips to realize how grateful we are to live where we do. I love you both forever, and I owe you so much. When you get older, I will change your diapers. ;) haha thank you for making us work and making us have family home evening and family scripture and prayer. You are both my biggest role models. I love you mom! I love you pa! :) 

My Mother

My father

I really am the luckiest girl in the world to be surrounded by such amazing people. Thank you all so much. Each of you have a very special place in my heart! 

Happy Tuesday!

and life continues

the word lethologica describes the state of not being able to remember the word you want.

i can't remember ANY words i want. i can't even think of anything to write. 

too busy daydreaming.

and now my eyes hurt from staring at this screen.

perhaps blogging isn't my forte.

especially since all i can think about is a guy. 

that i like.

very a lot. 

VERY A LOT.

i'd gush about him all day.

but i think i will just tell him when i see him.

22

days.

. . .

. . .

hopefully. 

maybe tomorrow i will have something more to say.    maybe.

* golden kisses from the meadow

Helianthus annuus is what smart people call them. I just call them sunflowers.

meadows filled with sunflowers, searching for the light of the sun

blooming

making me happy

***

[i love life]

 ***

the simple things mean the most,

so

STOP and SMELL the roses.

often

***

look around

realize how wonderful the earth is.

because

it is.

mountains.

i don't realize how much i love them

until they are no longer in sight.

a blue sky is never fully appreciated until the storm comes.

green grass is the softest on a summer day

brown grass just isn't the same..

even though we shouldn't judge it based on color

***

oh how i love my family

i miss family dinner together.

laughing, smiling, eating

i miss family scriptures study.

making faces, telling stories, loving every minute of it.

...wasn't so fond of waking up at 7 for family prayer

until i finally didn't have to. 

can't wait to do that again. :)

 i love you all. i think about you everyday.

 HMMM..

 How about we stop taking simple things for granted?

deal.

Peace & Love 

i just can't get enough.

happy. that is the word that i have been able to describe myself for quite some time. :) maybe it's a boy. maybe it's the awesome weather. maybe it's both. yeah, it's both :) but other things make me happy as well. hopefully they make you as happy as they make me.
- being with my family
- soft kisses
- puddle jumping
- eating blueberry muffin mix
- hugs
- bubbles
- popsicles
- wearing sweats and slippers
- a hot shower
- bows in my hair
- friends
- coloring books
- swing sets
- falling in love
- laughing so hard that your face hurts
- running through sprinklers
- waking up
- sunsets/ sunrises
- getting mail
- the smell of bubble bath
- mud
- reminiscing about life
                             OH LIFE. HOW I LOVE YOU DEARLY.    

3 for 3

 man, i am doing pretty good with this whole blog thing! I never thought i would be able to write random things on the internet! be proud.
  as i sat in the living room today, i thought about my underwear. strange thing to think about? yes. yes it is.but not really, because i just got some really cute new ones the other day. i hate getting cute undies, because it really isn't appropriate to go around showing people your bloomers. so it's kind of a thing to enjoy alone. personally, if something makes me happy, i like to share it with others. ya know, spread the joy. but in the case of underwear, i think i will just keep it to myself :)
love forever, Raela