tag! i'm it.

there's this thing going around. i'm supposed to do some stuff, answer some questions, and tag other people. yep, you guessed it. i was tagged. who was i tagged by? well, it was riss. so i'm going to do this, just because i can. and because i really have nothing better to do!
THE RULES

*post these rules:

*post a photo and eleven random things about yourself

*answer the questions that were provided by the person who tagged you

*create eleven new question for the people you tag

*contact those you tag and let them know they've been tagged.

oh.. is the picture supposed to be of me?? this is heather :)

1. i sleep with my teddy bear, Raider, every single night.

2. i enjoy drinking hot chocolate in the summer. i don't know why. it's pretty delicious in the winter as well.

3. i hate shaving my legs. i hate it. so... i rarely do it. i'm a HUGE fan of long socks. perhaps that is why me and soccer get along so well :)

4. i have never broken a bone, pierced my ears, gotten a cavity, been stung by a bee, or been pulled over. but on the down side, i can't roll my tongue 

5. sunflowers are my absolute favorite flower. nothing is prettier than a field of blooming sunflowers. or a field of white wheat. but that's another story.

6. i like eating lemons. i think they are delicious, even though they aren't really good for the enamel on the teeth 

7. when i was younger, i wanted to either be a librarian, and architect, or a stunt double.

8. any guy that can spell correctly and use proper grammar, is about 100 times more attractive than a guy who can't

9. i have a thing for redheads :)

10. a dessert with coconut on it is completely ruined

11. i'm actually REALLY competitive. i come off pretty shy to most people, but when i compete against them in a game..i'm a whole new person. a good person.. just unexpected

1. if you could date any superstar, who would it be? why?

uhhhhhhh.. all of the superstars that i would be interested in are kinda a lot older than i am. and they are all conceited and ridiculous. but i really like  John Krasinski. ah. especially his character Jim Halpert. from the Office. pretty much fell for him. so funny, so sweet. yeah.. i would definitely go on a date with Jim Halpert.. i mean, John Krasinski.

2. what's your most embarrassing moment?

ever since i've been born, i've embarrassed myself a lot. i have so many, but you only asked for one. this one  probably isn't my most embarrassing one, but it's the first one that comes to mind. it happened in.. 4th grade? maybe 3rd? i can't remember the exact date. But i was sitting in computer class, and this class was just an hour long, so we would have to walk back to our class after. anyways, i was sitting there, and i had a GENIUS idea! 'it would be way fun to tie your shoelaces together!' so i did. about five minutes after doing that, we had to get up and go to our homeroom class. my laces wouldn't come undone! shoot.. so i hobbled to the line. we got the the main hall, and what do you know? all of the other classes were changing rooms as well! great..i was near the front and holding up the line, so i let everyone pass. then, i trip. everyone looks at me, laughs, and i get up, almost in tears, and hobble to the back. we got to the classroom and i took my shoes off. haven't done that since.. yep.. moving on.

3.who's your hero? why?
it's hard for me to say just one person, because there are so many people in my life who have influenced me for the better. i may not think they are my hero, but their actions were heroic, and i admire them. My father is definitely a hero to me. we are so close, and that is a blessing in my life. he doesn't get angry, and helps around the house with a good attitude. i hope to marry a guy life my dad. My mother is so selfless. she knows what's best for me, and cares so much. Jeff, my older brother knows how to talk to people about the gospel. he showed it while we went to Peru. i wanna be able to do that as well as he can. Riss, is someone i look up to for many reasons. she knows how to deal with people. she's so helpful and witty and great. My other siblings are great as well. Kelton is someone i look up to a bunch. he's so dedicated, and does things, even though it may be difficult. i just love him for that. Yeah, i have MANY heroes. i seriously could take days writing this answer out, but then people would get bored reading.. so i'll stop..

4.what's your biggest accomplishment so far?
um.. probably staying active in the church. i have heard that it's pretty easy to fall away..

5.what made you smile today?
A single thought if a boy. Cliche, i know.

6. if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? why?
i am very comfortable in my body. i know i have acne, and all that fun stuff, but it kinda makes me who i am, so i don't mind it all too much. and i am very thankful for my vision, but i have always wanted glasses. so bad. i love them. people say that i won't love them once i get them, but i wear fake ones around.. ah, i wish i could have some. also, i'm trying to grow out my hair. i would like that to be longer. one day, i'll have glasses and long hair. even if i'm 80.

7.what inspires you?
playing the piano, reading church magazines/books, the internet can be inspiring. some people have super good ideas. i don't know. i don't think i'm inspired easily. never really thought about it

8.what is your favorite place to go to think?
i love sitting in a car. but pretty much anywhere that i am alone, or with someone i can think out loud to, i enjoy thinking. i also love thinking while i am looking up at the night sky. but i would have to say a car.

9. who's the person you are most comfortable talking to? why?
oh man. this one is tough. it depends what i am talking about. i am pretty close to my mom and dad, as well as my older brother, Jeff. We talk all the time, which i love. But i spend a lot of time talking to Riss, so she's up there, too. i can tell anything to Heavenly Father, and i'm WAY comfortable talking to Him, but He doesn't count right now :) Kelton, ah. i can tell him ANYTHING. i've been comfortable talking to him since the day we met. so if i couldn't answer someone in my family, it would be Elder Abbott :)

10. what's your favorite thing to wear?
long socks, boy's boxer shorts, and a hoodie. definitely. it gives me a perfect balance of chill and warmth. i also really love wearing white v-neck t shirts. i would wear those more often if i didn't stain all of them.. oops. 

11. if today was you last day to live, and you could do anything regardless of expense, what would you do?
i would travel home so i could be with my family. that's all. i wanna die with those that i love all around. i'd just want my mom and dad to hold me. i think i would write a letter to Elder Abbott, but not send it off immediately- don't wanna distract him!

ok.. i don't have many blogging friends.. BUT. i guess i tag:
Lou
Mishka
Heather
if you haven't already done this, feel free to do it, it's actually pretty entertaining!

these questions you must now answer:
1. what is something that you are absolutely addicted to?
2. what is one thing that you are looking forward to? why?
3. what was the best/worst date you've ever been on?
4. how would you change the world?
5. what's one talent you wish you had better developed?
6. what do you do with your friends?
7. do you believe in love at first sight? why?
8. who (not of your family) do you admire? why?
9. what are 3 of your pet peeves?
10. what's one thing that no one knows you can do? (for instance, i crochet)
11. where do you want to visit before you die?

thanks for stopping by!

-Raela

i know this is your second.. but..

18 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ON THIS DAY

1.  YOU ARE LOVED BY SO MANY PEOPLE. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW, AND THEY ADMIRE THE THINGS YOU DO. YOU ARE SUCH A LIGHT TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND IT HAS BEEN A JOY TO GROW UP WITH YOU THESE LAST 18 YEARS OF YOUR LIFE :) SO HAPPY.
2. WE SHARE SO MANY MEMORIES TOGETHER! THERE IS NOT ONE DULL MEMORY THAT I HAVE WITH YOU, THEY HAVE ALL BEEN ADVENTURES THAT I WILL CHERISH FOREVER. THANK YOU :)
   
3. YOU ARE SO FIRMLY PLANTED IN THE GOSPEL, AND YOUR TESTIMONY IS SO STRONG. YOU MAKE ME WANT TO BE A BETTER PERSON, JUST BY THE WAY YOU ACT.
4. YOU ARE GORGEOUS. EVEN WITHOUT MAKEUP ON. YOU ARE JUST NATURALLY PRETTY. BOTH INSIDE AND OUT :) ON GOOD DAYS, I FEEL LIKE I CAN LOOK 1/8 OF YOUR PRETTYNESS, AND I AM SATISFIED WITH THAT.
5. YOU ARE A GENIUS. YOU HAVE A STELLAR VOCABULARY AND CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS WITH EASE. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A BIT JEALOUS THAT MY YOUNGER SISTER WAS SMARTER THAN I WAS, BUT THERE  ISN'T REALLY ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT. YOU EARNED IT. :)
6. YOU GIVE THE BEST ADVICE AND HELP ME GET THROUGH MY DAY WITHOUT ANY WORRIES. I HAVE CALLED YOU COUNTLESS TIMES BECAUSE I'VE BEEN HAVING A ROUGH DAY, AND YOU WILL DROP WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING, JUST TO LISTEN TO ME RANT ON ABOUT MY DAY. I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS :) THANK YOU.
7. YOU ARE SO ARTISTICALLY TALENTED- IN SINGING AND DRAWING AND WRITING! IT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE. I LOVE HEARING YOU SING, EVEN IF IT'S JUST ME WALKING INTO YOUR ROOM WHILE YOU ARE IN THE SHOWER, I CAN STILL HEAR YOU, AND IT'S SO MELODIOUS. I'M GLAD YOU DON'T JUDGE ME, CUZ I CAN'T SING, BUT YOU STILL LET ME SLAUGHTER SONGS WHEN WE PARTY IN YOUR ROOM :)
8. YOU ARE SO ATHLETIC! YOU PLAY ANY SPORT WITH EASE, AND LOOK MIGHTY FINE DOING IT TOO! I LOVE PLAYING SPORTS WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU CHALLENGE ME TO DO MY BEST
9. WHENEVER I'M DOWN IN THE DUMPS, YOU CAN SAY ONE THINGS AND TURN MY DAY AROUND. YOU HAVE A VERY WITTY SENSE OF HUMOR, AND YOU SAY THE RANDOMEST THINGS THAT I CAN'T HELP BUT SMILE AFTER HEARING THEM.
10. YOU LET ME BORROW YOUR CLOTHES AND SHOES AND HAIR THINGS.. THANK YOU :)
11. YOU HAVE HELPED ME LOOK PRETTY FOR ANYTHING I ASK, AND YOU HELP ME PICK OUT MY OUTFIT WHEN I HAVE A SPECIAL OCCASION. I'VE NEVER BEEN GOOD WITH FINDING CUTE CLOTHES, OR KNOWING WHAT LOOKS DECENT TOGETHER, SO  THAT HAS HELPED IN MANY ASPECTS.
12. YOU ARE SO UNSELFISH AND NON-JUDGMENTAL. YOU ARE SO NICE TO EVERYONE, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE COMPLETE JERKS TO YOU. WHENEVER YOU HEAR SOMETHING BAD BEING SAID ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE, YOU CHANGE THE SUBJECT! YOU ARE JUST SO GOOD! :)
13. YOU THINK I'M FUNNY AND PRETTY, AND YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE ME FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF. YOU CAN DEFINITELY BOOST MY CONFIDENCE. WHENEVER  WE GO SOMEWHERE TOGETHER, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MY BACK AND WILL STICK BY MY SIDE, EVEN IF 'M BEING COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS.
14. YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME, NO MATTER HOW DUMB MY PROBLEM IS. YOU DON'T INTERRUPT ME WHEN I AM TALKING, AND JUST LISTEN. IT'S SO NICE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO.
15. I CAN TALK TO YOU ABOUT ANYTHING TOO! YOU DON'T MAKE ANYTHING AWKWARD TO TALK ABOUT, SO WE CAN JUST CHAT FOR HOURS, OR EVEN SIT IN SILENCE AND ENJOY EACH OTHERS COMPANY. IT'S NICE.
16. YOU ARE MY HERO. I ADMIRE EVERYTHING YOU DO. YOU DO EVERYTHING WITH PERFECTION AND IT PUSHES ME TO BE BETTER.
17. I LOVE YOU SO INFINITELY MUCH. I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE MY SISTER, AND MY BEST FRIEND. YOU ARE AMAZING AND I HOPE THAT I CAN GROW TO BE HALF OF THE GIRL THAT YOU ARE TODAY.
18. I HOPE YOU HAVE THE HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY EVER! I WISH I COULD BE THERE TO CELEBRATE IT WITH YOU, BUT I AM THINKING OF YOU AND WISH YOU A HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY RISS! :)

 THERE ARE MANY MORE THINGS ABOUT YOU THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW, BUT MY MIND HAS DRAWN A BLANK. THE MAIN POINT IS, THAT I LOVE YOU AND APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO FOR ME, EVEN IF YOU DON'T THINK THAT THEY MEAN A LOT, THEY REALLY DO. I LOVE YOU. :)

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!

ya know. it's from me. to you, like usual.

hey! just so you know, i am behind you 100% no matter what you choose. 

best buds :)

that's what sisters are for. (it says so in the contract that we signed at your birth)

i will always be here for you and i want to help you as much as possible.

i know you are so strong and probably will not need much help.

but i will be here. for you to cry with. or on.

either one works. 

and we can have laughing parties where we tell silly stories about underwear and stuff.

that's right. you know who you are.

i am so excited for you to start your hair school, and i know you will DOMINATE all the others working there, because 1) you are naturally gifted at making people look pretty (take me, for example) and 2) you are related to me, and we're pro at everything. kidding of course.

i am also pretty stoked to hang out with you more. I know you're sad about your best friend leaving, but now you and me can become bestest friends like we used to be! i know that's selfish, but..

well. i love you. 

oh, by the way, i love you :) that's right. i said it twice. have a nice day.

oh sunday

So i know that there isn't anyone reading this right now. But to tell you the truth, i am ok with that. maybe i like it that way. with that being said, here goes nothing. enjoy.
  I went to church this morning. it was definitely a new experience, because none of my roomies came with me. so i went alone. I don't mind sitting by myself, but apparently, everyone else thinks it's a disgrace to sit alone. i had a nice girl come and sit next to me. i'm not sure if she did it because she pitied me, or if it was because she didn't want to sit alone either. she could just be a nice person. i like to think that. i appreciate her, because she sat next to me. we didn't say a single thing to each other, but i didn't feel like such a loner.
THANK YOU RANDOM GIRL!
hmm.. that reminds me a lot of my sister, Riss. She is always looking out for the people that don't have anyone to sit by at lunch. She finds the sad loners and makes them feel better. I don't think she gets recognized for that enough.

THANK YOU RISS FOR SITTING BY PEOPLE LIKE ME!

you are such a good example to me. when i grow up, i want to be like you. thank you :)

. to you .

i only made this blog because of my amazing sister, Riss. 

But to be completely honest, i think i will use it for more than just praising her in every possible way.

Because that might just get weird. Like i was worshiping her or something. Which isn't my cup of tea. 

I love you Riss, but i'm not going to worship you.. :)

But for some reason, telling you that i love you on a blog post is kinda weird. it's like texting you.. but for everyone and their dog to see.. Oh well. I'm here. and rambling on. I should just cut to the chase huh?  

  .... .... ....

~best friends~

this one goes out to you sis. for being the best. ever. heather doesn't count. i appreciate all you do for me. i love it when you used to come into my room as i laid in bed, and you would just wake me up and talk with me. i really actually hated it then, but looking back, those were some good times. buenos tiempos. i love when we would just talk. and talk. i love hearing all that you have to say. i am glad that you listen to me. even when i have nothing of importance to say. i like you. i like how you make me feel. you always tell me that i am pretty, and that made me feel like a princess. i like what we do together. whenever we are hanging out, we do some pretty crazy things. and they are so awesome. i absolutely love playing with you. you are my best friend. i would love to be stranded on an island with you.. thank you for all of your advice about boys. and thank you for not being as stubborn as i am. i can think of countless times when you have not been at fault, yet you still apologize to me first. it's amazing, and i really appreciate your example to me. even though you are younger than i am, it sure seems like you have much more experience in life. i really think you were supposed to be born first, just because you're so much better than i am. well, i hope this is good for you. i could write more, but i feel like you are getting bored.

until next time, 

Raela