Little Things

Many of us feel as if our life is dull, nothing ever happens, and all we do is the same boring routine of our life day after day after day. You are probably right, but there are little things that go unnoticed. I feel like I just work, read, and sleep, so I have decided to take this time to talk about all those unnoticed things in my life  besides me preparing for a mission.

1. My little sister is almost 16. She is now learning how to drive and at first I was really scared being in the car with her. She was slow to react and very hesitant about everything she was doing. I found myself thinking "she's not ready!" but then I think about the driver I was when I was her age. My first time on the road I thought it was so awesome and ended up accidentally driving on the curb real quick... *eek* I guess I have no room to talk, but I find that I am more protective about my younger sister than anyone else I know. I worry about her, and the idea of her growing up scares me. But every time I visit home, she is more and more grown up and there is nothing I can do to stop it. I can only imagine how much harder it will be for me to see my own kids grow up!
2. One of my best friends since I was born got married June 15th (which is also my parent's anniversary) to her the man she has dated for the past 2 years. I've never seen a more perfect couple! They are finally sealed for time and for all eternity in the Salt Lake City temple. I was her bridesmaid/Maid of Honor and it was an unforgettable experience. I was able to plan her batchelorette party, do her hair for both her wedding and her reception on July 10th, and all the little odds and ends my "2nd family" needed help with. 2 completely different days a month a part in celebration of the marriage of these 2 amazing people. I can't wait until I feel that LOVE that everyone describes that is enough to marry the person. I have come close, but not to that extent. 
3. I just finished my 10th book of the summer!  I have read The Host, Pride and Prejudice, First Love and Forever, 2nd Chances, Now and Forever, In Search of Heaven, A Quiet Promise, At Heaven's Door, Timeless Waltz, and The Gable Faces East. I have become hooked on reading!
4. Slowly I have made a new friend in Burley. Her name in Megan and I didn't realize how much I appreciated her friendship until yesterday. She always brings a smile to my face and I know I will miss her when I move in August.
5. Staying friends is so important to me. As Anneliesa (who calls or texts me literally every day) said "The way I see it is a true friend takes time out of the day to say Hi and see how your doing. It doesn't have to be everyday but that way it shows that they care about you and are interested in your life."  When people show how much I mean to them, it says a lot. One of my good friends told me on Monday that I was genuine and not "fake" when she met me and even though i was dating her brother at the time, she knew we would stay friends no matter what happened. She was right! Another friend told me I am one of the first she can actually turn to talk to and she knows I wont turn on her like other people have. Knowing that these people care about me and to say these kind words to me touched me and made me feel very much less alone. I have friends out there who care about me no matter where I am or what I am doing. Actions speak a thousand words, and these along with many others I will never forget.
6. I went back to my natural hair color a couple weeks ago. At first I missed my blonde highlights a ton! But it is actually growing on me! I am happy to be a brunette again! :)
7. I recently spoke to my dad. And if you read my "why I hate men" blog, you will know I don't have kind feelings towards him, but I saw him a week ago for the first time since Christmas and we talked about everything that has come in between us, and for the first time I forgave him for how much he hurt me. He had no idea and people make mistakes. We decided to start over and talk more often. I still have trouble trusting that he will follow through, but it is a start and I pray that things will get better between us.

Those little things that happen always go unnoticed. I need to appreciate what goes on around me more often. Like that person who stops so I can cross the street, or my roommate who gave me the best rent price you could ever find in Burley, or maybe the future that keeps me hopeful, or the music I listen to and movies I watch, along with a healthy body, and let's not forget my mom who always has such great advice and my sisters who always want me to come visit and stay with them. There is so much to be grateful for! I love my life and I would never want to change anything (except for maybe taking the past out of the present and leaving it where it belongs... in the past).