Picture Roll

The picture roll for the year 2010!!

JANUARY

(Visited St. Louis Missouri for the first time and went to the St. Louis Cardinal award banquet. My brother received the Minor League Player of the Year award)

FEBRUARY

(I celebrated my very first Chinese New Year at Twins house)

(I met this kid by some happy coincidence haha)

MARCH

(I started babysitting Christopher every weekend. I finally got to become a big sister like I always wanted. I miss him dearly)

APRIL

(I went to San Francisco to AT&T Park where I, for the first time, got to watch my brother play in a Major League game.)

MAY

(My best friend and I celebrated our birthdays by going to Disneyland)

(I had my very last softball banquet. Me and these three girls all have ended our Puma Softball careers, but we have made the most memories out of everyone)

(PROM!...funnest night ever?....yes!)

JUNE

(I visited beautiful New Mexico so that I could watch Allen play the greatest game ever to be created)

JULY

(three day trip to Pine Mountain Lake with Madeline! Always a blessing)

(I went to the Del Mar Fair for the first time with two of the most lovely ladies that I know)

(I went to Disneyland again, this time with Abby. This was monumental because it was the first time I saw the World of Color show, which everyone should be required to see at least once before the kick the bucket)

AUGUST

(Went to the Harvest Crusade where I got to hear Greg Laurie speak and watch performances by Revive, Phil Wickham and Sanctus Real)

SEPTEMBER

(Visited St. Louis again, but this time got to step into right field, now I know what it looks like from my brothers point of view...it's even more beautiful)

OCTOBER

(MY TWO FAVORITE PEOPLE GOT ENGAGED!!!)

(Homecoming!)

NOVEMBER

(I got into my very first college! :) :) :) :) )

DECEMBER

(CHRISTMAS!!! My favorite time of the year)

(Went to a Matt Maher concert, but this time got to help him tear down his set. Also met Ike Ndola and the rest of the band members.)

WHAT a blessing this year has been! So many memories, but the best part is who I was with when I made them all. I love all my family and friends so much!

Proudly Parting

Nobody said it was easy, it's such a shame for us to part. Nobody said it was easy, no one ever said it would be this hard. ~Coldplay

Fair warning: this could be a fairly long post...

Today, I played catch for the first time since my last softball game. It was weird I have to say. I know that I definitely made the right decision to quit; I honestly don't feel like a part of me is missing at all. I think it was just weird that when I was throwing the ball back in forth with my dad and brother, I wasn't doing it to get warmed up for the upcoming season. It was so easy for me to let go of the sport, but so hard in that I know my family kind of took the hit. Of course, they support me and aren't persuading me to change my mind, but I can tell they miss watching me play. So now, I'm realizing that it was the hardest decision I've had to make in a long time. It was like by habit my dad was saying things like "don't wear out your arm" or "pace yourself"......when actually I have no reason to do either of those things. There aren't any upcoming games that I have to be healthy for. It's just weird. A couple years ago, I had my college years planned out. Make Varsity, Softball scholarship, play all the way through college. Now I can't even find where my glove is.

But, there's a different plan for me...

I know I made the right decision. I think that God gives you many talents, but with that talent, you have to have a fire and passion to go with it. I mean, of course we are going to be talented at multiple things; how boring would life be if we just sucked at everything? But, there's only going to be a couple of things that you are going to love with all your heart and unfortunately, softball wasn't one of them. I wish it was. I wish I could have my parents watch four more years of softball games. But I know they are going to proudly watch me succeed in something else in life because they are the best.

Phew...that was a tough post to write.

The Beauty Of Pixar

My friend Courtney posted this one her facebook a couple days ago and I fell in love with it! I am such a huge Disney/Pixar fan and whoever created this video is a genius.

My Princess,

Run to win. You, My princess, are destined to win. I know how tired you often become, just by trying to do and say all the right things. Take that pressure off yourself, because I did not put it there. The world may judge you by what they say and hear, but I look within your heart, My child. I see your desire to please Me, and I see your struggle to please others. If you want to win this endurance race, you must let go of your need for the approval of others and seek My will and My pleasure. Simplify your life, and let go of the burdens that weigh you down. You'll find that My grace will lighten your step and My favor will even draw others to join you. Yes, at times you will stumble and fall. But don't worry. I'm here to help you get back up again - as often as it takes.

Love,
Your King and your Champion

Can I just say that I happen to read these things EXACTLY when I need to read them? Gosh, so cool. haha

Oh, How He Loves Us

My Princess,

It's okay to cry. I see how hard you try to handle your heart, and I know you want to live a life without heartaches or pain. I'm asking you to take a step closer to your Father in heaven by crying out to Me when you hurt. Let me heal you....I don't expect you to pretend the pain is not real. It is truth and tears that will give you the freedom that I want you to know. Now let go of that part of your heart that only I can heal. Let your heavenly Daddy hold you while you cry.

Love,

Your King who wipes away your tears

Like most of you know, I can't cry. I'm just not a cryer. I hate it. There are only three things that make me cry: when someone else is, when i'm praising God, or when I let someone down (the latter seems to be happening quite a lot lately).I always knew that it was never a sign of weakness, obviously. I just didn't want people to worry about me, because they already have enough to worry about. But I realized that it is such a beautiful thing. I mean God created us to feel so much and in such a way that, through tears, our emotions become visible to those around us. It was like when we feel like that, other people are meant to see it so they can help us. We were meant to reach out and we were meant for compassion. I think that's cool. God created us perfectly...sorry for messing it up all the time.

I think it's cruel that I was given this incredible love for music, but I wasn't given any musical talents whatsoever. haha I guess I'm just cheap entertainment.

Welcome Back

I'm not my own, I've been carried by You all my life. And everything rides on hope now, everything rides on faith some how. When the world has broken me down, Your love sets me free. ~Addison Road

Guess what guys?? My dear friend Jessica has come back to the blogging world! Seriously, writing and reading blogs are two of my favorite things to do and she just contributed to my happiness. Thanks girl! So you should definitely check it out here. She is such an amazing girl with such a love for life and a love for God....and now, a love for blogging. haha

Smooth Sailing

I will hear your cry. This time I will not let you fall, we'll start again. No need to apologize. I can look into your eyes and start again, we'll start again. ~Aaron Barnhart

These past two days were quite successful! I was given so many more gifts than I know what to do with myself. This season after all of my visits with friends/family I received:

TOMS, two beautiful necklaces, a CD, a hand purse, gift card to Chilis, everything fitness, money, two sets of pjs, pretty bras, a purple nike jacket, bombshell perfume/lotion/body wash, a journal, blank cds, itunes gift card, ipod car hook up, gift cards to forever 21, uggs, bass pro shop sleeping bag, four lovely books, tickets to see beauty and the beast, gel pens, baja fresh gift card, movie tickets, curling iron, picture frame for my twins, cucumber melon lotion...

like seriously? SERIOUSLY?!?! This just way too much for me to handle. I am just completely overwhelmed by the love people showed me this year. This was probably one of the best Christmas Eve/Christmas' that my family has seen in a long, long time and I am so grateful! That was the best gift of all: a smooth sailing season. PRAISE HIM!

Be Kind

We Were On Purpose

You are all I need when I'm surrounded. You are all I need if I'm by myself. You fill me when I'm empty. There is nothing else, You're all I need ~ Bethany Dillon

Isn't that a cool concept? That all the people we love in this world....we all exist at the same time. We didn't miss them. We aren't off by a couple years. We were all meant to be together and know each other and love each other. We were on purpose.

I got to exchange gifts with my Twin yesterday!! She got me the most lovely smelling perfume and a beautiful cross necklace. It was such an awesome gift. Thank you so much my dear! :) We also went and got Panda Express at the mall and ran into a lot of people we knew. Then, we headed back to my house to just chill and watch TV and make cards. It was a fun day and I'm glad I got to spend it with her.

LOOK!!!

Look it!!! Look what my boyfriend got me for Christmas :) :) :) :)

Looooook!!

I'm so happy :) :) My very first pair of TOMS. You guys have no idea how long I have wanted these shoes. Thank you so so much Keenan :D You know what's cool? Their "One for One" deal. With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Not only are you going to be really happy, but another child is going to be REALLY happy. Please, please watch this video. :D

Go buy some here!

Oh, Inspriation.

Okay, so I finished this book a long time ago. And it kind of inspired me to start my own "Letters To God" journal. So that is exactly what I'm gonna do. One of my biggest downfalls is that I'm not very good at praying. I mean I will say little ones throughout the day and long ones every now and then, but as for my every night bed time prayers, they are just not up to par. And this is going to sound terrible, but I just despise praying in front of people. Madeline is the only one I can do it in front of for some reason. haha so anyway, you and I both know that I have this insane addiction with writing, so I am going to take full advantage of it. Therefore, instead of verbally saying my prayers, I am just going to write them down. I started this five days ago and as of now I have made 15 entries to God. haha

Old Camera, Old Times

Cardboardlove.com

Juicebox

Beloved

Can I just mention this amazing concept real quick? I always knew this, but it hasn't really become real to me until this past week. So don't you think it is amazing that even though we are so undeserving of everything that we have, God still wants to give the world to us? The WORLD guys. He wants to give us everything REGARDLESS of what we have done in the past, what we are doing now, and what we will do in the future. God is love!

My Princess

So if the chain is on your door, I understand. But this is me swallowing my pride, standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night. And I go back to December all the time.

Today was such an amazing a day!

First, my brother took me to breakfast after school at Mimi's Cafe. Not gonna lie...it kind of makes me sad that I don't get to see much of him anymore. But it's okay! I got to see him today right?? It was so much fun! Thanks Bubba! :) :)

Next, Keenan came over for a little while and we watched Air Bud World Pup and Ninja Turtles. haha yep, we are that cool. But, it was lotsa fun. :) I like that kid! XD

Finally! I went to dinner at CPK with Abby. :D that was awesome cause we got to exchange CHRISTMAS gifts. She got me tickets to go see Beauty and the Beast at Pantages theater. Yeah...let me just die of excitement. haha :P I am so stoked. She also got me these books that I am currently falling in love with. Let me show you why, listen to to this. :)

My Princess,

You are my masterpiece. I love what I have created. I am delighted in you! Don't ever feel insecure about what you think you are not, because I made you in My image and your uniqueness is a gift from Me. I did not give you a life, My love, for you to squeeze into a man-made mold. You are royalty, but you won't discover the truth by gazing into a mirror. Let Me be your mirror and I will reflect back to you your true beauty. The more you gaze at Me, the more you will see My workmanship in you. The sooner you see yourself for who you really are, the sooner you can begin your reign as My priceless princess with a purpose.

Love,
Your King and your Creator

So I speak for Madeline too when I say this, that when the lovely Megan Barner posts these "Love Letters from Your King" on her blog we just fall in love every time. I don't know why but she always seems to post the right thing at right time and it is exactly what we need to hear. Now, thanks to Abby dearest, we have all the books and can enjoy them 24/7 which is exactly what we will be doing. Praise Him!

Barlow Girl

And I need you to love me and I, I won't keep my heart from You this time. And I'll stop this pretending that I can somehow deserve what I already have.

Okay so you know how a couple posts ago I was just in need of a day to do nothing and just talk to God. Well, that opportunity came in a way that was TEN TIMES better than just sitting on my floor doing nothing. Keenan and his parents took me to a Barlow Girl concert at Sunridge a couple days ago and I have just been raving about it ever since! It was SO amazing, so so so amazing. And seriously they are just so genuinely in love with God and spreading his love around. I know a lot of people who just play their songs and then say a few words of wisdom. But no...these girls....they actually say things that inspire you to be different, that inspire you to change the way you look at life. And it worked...it really did.

There closing song just broke me down. I won't go into detail but it was such a beautiful moment and one that I will remember for a long time. Praise Him!

Yuck!

That's my "I hate liquid dayquil face"

SO! I got sick a couple days ago. BUT today I am feeling so much better. Here is the conversation I just had with my mom.

Me: Mom I'm feeling SO much better!

Mom: Don't you think that's because you still have medicine in your system?
Me: Nope, I don't think so.
Mom: And why is that?
Me: Because I didn't take it

haha so we ran out of the pill, therefore forcing me to take the gross liquid stuff. I took two sips of it and the gagging was just too much for me to take. I also accidentally spilled some on the counter (i cleaned it up mom don't worry) and so I figured it wasn't meant to be. haha I am feeling a lot cheerier though! :) :) Praise Him!

True That

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

First of all...this is an awesome movie!

Second of all, I'm gonna do a little honesty post right here. So basically, I am just plain tired. And not tired in the "oh i need to go to sleep", but more like "I'm exhausted, and I am GOING to collapse." I seriously feel like I haven't been able to stop to breathe for WEEKS. All I want is to just be bored, that's ALL I want. I want to sit on my floor and do nothing and think about nothing and just talk to God for hours on end. That's it. It's like I have these busy days and then I get to go home and not be able to fall asleep. Most people can sleep and I don't know why I can't. So, here's a song that I wrote about this situation. haha :P

These sleepless nights some how find me

My dream catcher was wrongly weaved

Like the bad ones are waiting

Like the good ones are fading

And I can't sleep...

So Lord, I call Your name tonight

Take 'em and make 'em quiet

I need to know you're always there for me

I hope that you're watching this

Seeing all I resist

I need to know you're always there for me

So please...

Take my hand, show me your plans

And I will surely sleep

Teach me how to shut my eyes

'Cause laying down does not suffice

Like I'm always on edge

Like true peace is far fetched

It's time I try

So Lord, I call Your name tonight

Take 'em and make 'em quiet

I need to know You're always there for me

I hope that You're watching this

Seeing all I resist

I need to know You're always there for me

So please...
Take my hand, show me Your plans

And I will surely sleep

You are more than I can understand and

I can't stand these shakey hands

So I'm gonna fall on my stubborn knees

Pray You take all of me...


THERE! hahaha

Mirror, Mirror

I Refuse

Professionals

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8......1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Haha okay so a day that I think will go down in history just occured today. Jasmine (my twin) and I were waiting patientally for the Zumba teacher to arrive, BUT she never did. So, twin and I decided to lead the class. Therefore, we got someone to unlock the stereo box for us and we found a blank CD inside the droor. So were like "okay we will se what's on it." We then proceeded to improv all the steps to songs we have never heard of in our life. But it worked out good and about 20 women still stayed with us! It was one of THE coolest moments of my life. haha we basically taught a zumba class. Pros!

Proud

I'm a person who....

Okay, no joke this was probably one of the best days of my life. First , I met my group of 15 other peer leaders at 7:00 AM this morning to set up for the first PLUS Forum of the year. If you have seen the show "If You Really Knew Me" on MTV...it's almost exactly like that. I gotta say that it was hands down the BEST Forum I have ever ran because every single part of this event worked...it just worked. When the Peer Leaders were debriefing on the day I was watching the group of 35 kids talking amongst themselves and their groups slowing went from 6....to 4....to 3....and then finally to one united group. It was one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen in my life. I had one of the most bomb small groups with Dani and Cassi and all of the activities went smoothly. I could just go on and on about this, but I'll stop there. haha

NEXT I went to Good News Club. Unfortunately, because of school I can only make it for the last 30 minutes of club. But, it's always worth being greeted by those little hand hugs. This time my group of kids, mostly third graders had to make a poem and each line has to start with C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S and PRAISE HIM, they came up with the greatest answers. Remember, they are in third grade and they came up with things like:

R.....run to Jesus when you need help
T.....try to pray every day

S......saving our souls!

I.....I will always praise God

A....ask for forgiveness

M.....Merry Christmas

They came up with those all on their own, I was so proud.