It's Decided.

I'm going to be a Gym Teacher. 

I don't care that people make fun of it.

And I don't care I'll make very little money.

But I do care about the kids I'll be able to influence. 

I care about the lives I can hopefully change for the better.

I care about teaching kids that being fit can also be fun.

I care about providing at least one good example to that child that may have none. 

And I care about having a flexible job so I can be there for my family.

Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face. 

This summer working at the kids camp has helped me see what my 

life would be like if I were to become a Gym Teacher.

Even though there are tough moments during the day at the end of each day 

I leave happy and feeling good about myself. 

I leave hoping that I helped at least one child find joy in their day. 

And that's what I'll strive to do, 

help others find the joy in life. 

Working at this camp has opened my eyes to how tough and 

just downright tragic some children's lives are.

It breaks my heart to hear how broken some homes are and how it affects the children involved. 

I had one girl at camp say to me, "Wishes never come true and prayers are never answered."

Immediately I responded with, "That is not true!"

She rebutted, "Well my wishes never come true and my prayers are never answered so I've just stopped wishing and stopped praying."

It took everything in me to not go all preachy and tell her every instance in my life when my prayers have been answered and my wishes came true. It just wasn't the time or place.

I just kept trying to tell her that she should never stop praying and never stop wishing. 

I can't stand to think that this little 8 year old girl's conclusions about prayers and wishes wasn't unique. 

Knowing that, I don't know how I can sit by and not do anything about it.

These kids deserve the best, and they deserve more then anything to know that wishes come true and that prayers are answered.

So I'm promising to work my best to be the best for these kids that 

have such great potential but don't see it.

Even though I'm fully aware that my life plan could change, there is one thing that I've decided for sure:

I have to do something to help these kids with such tragic stories see their great potential. 

Or at least help them believe that wishes do come true and prayers are answered. 

Finally Some Free Time!

My summer has been such a busy one. I love it. The only down side is that I haven't been able to keep up with my blog. So now that I have some free time on this lazy Saturday here are some updates on my life:

• I've started using Spotify. I don't know why it took me this long to start using it but I love it. If you are also a late bloomer and have been wondering about it but never did it, do it. It's great. (For those of you who don't know what it is it's a music thing where you can listen to full songs for free, basically like iTunes but better because you don't have to pay)

• I love my job. I need to devote a whole blog to this because there are just too many good stories but it's been so fun. I work at the Herndon Community Center doing the kid camp called Summer Fun. I'm a counselor for the 3rd and 4th grade group and it's really fun. Some days are rough and some children are more difficult than others but I'm learning patience and it's overall a great learning experience and just a lot of fun.

Me and my work shirt! 

• I love my family. We have been lucky enough to be spending a lot of time together doing various things. Our favorite things include, Nationals games in DC, seeing the latest movies, and just casual family dinner together at home. Sometimes the weeks seem to zip by without spending time together but we always seem to be able to catch up on the weekends. I have been so blessed with such a close, strong, loving family. 

on our way to a Nats game!

• I am starting a Lacrosse League in Utah with Tina. I am so excited about it! We are going to call it reLAX Utah. I'm having the beautiful Victoria make the logo for us and I'm figuring out all the logistics and all that just gets me so excited! So if you are going to be in Utah in the Fall and you love lacrosse contact me! It's going to be a really relaxed league (hence the name) and it's for all levels of play! There will probably be a small fee because the field will cost something and hopefully we can get pennies! It all depends on how many people show up and are interested! But I'm super excited. I really hope this works out the way I see it working out in my head. Tina and I are going to be a great team to get this going. I'm the planner and organizer and Tina is the go-getter who will spread the word and get people involved. SO EXCITED! YAYYYY! 

yup. i love lacrosse.

Ok anyway. That's pretty much my life update. So many exciting things! 

My 4th of July

(better late then never right?)

So this year I had to work on the 4th which I was fairly bummed about because I was missing out on celebrating with my friends. But it turned out to be pretty great.

Well first off I made a last minute decision to go to the Nationals game which was a great decision. I am so blessed. Who else gets to celebrate the 4th of July in the Nation's Capitol with the number 1 baseball team, and not to mention with family and close friends? Not many. It was a great experience. 

Since Sara and I had to work we left the game early when the Nats were up. We made it to work with plenty of time to spare. We got our jobs and I was assigned to the "Info Tent" in which I was to give away free stuff. Which is amazing let me tell you. We had people spinning and "Wheel of Fortune" like wheel for a free t-shirt. I was so fun to watch their anticipation as the wheel spun and then the excitement on their faces when they won. Giving free stuff away is the best.

Then after we ran out of shirts we all gathered up to go to the golf course to secure the perimeter. The fireworks are shot off the golf course so it's unsafe to have people on it while the firework show is going off. So it was our job to make sure no one snuck on. We were all assigned different spots on the course and I had the best spot ever. I was right behind this house that was having their own party with karaoke, live music, and tons of food. There were people from Maryland, DC, and of course Virginia. (This happens to be Mr. Abney from Herndon Middle..weird...) Most the people singing were professional singers and they were all singing R&B, it was so great. So Maddie and I were just enjoying the entertainment. Then someone came and brought us some cake! They were so nice! Then the fireworks started and they were amazing, we had the best spot for watching them, they were directly overhead. During the fireworks the party people were singing Amazing Grace, America the Beautiful, and even Yankee Doodle. Maddie and I were so happy we couldn't sit still. I just kept thinking, "I am experiencing pure joy right now."

I love those moments. I'm trying to be able to recognize them and take note of them as they happen. This summer has been such a fun-filled, exciting, and all-too-busy one. But I'm doing my best to record all the fun memories, there are just so many I need to try harder.

firework pictures provided my Maddie :)
thanks Mad!

The Summer Adventures of Shaunessy and Annie

So, this is long overdue, but oh well, here it is- the recap of my most recent adventures with my girl Shaunessy.

Adventure 1- Busch Gardens

Mamma Neel basically forced us to plan a road trip for this summer and although we didn't end up going very far, we still had a great trip and it was perfect. With some hard work from both Moms, we finally found a place to stay where they allowed 19-year-olds to check in. A quaint little Bed and Breakfast named Magnolia Manor. We drove down with no problems at all (if I recall correctly) and made it right on time to check in. Once we got there, we had our first moment of hilarity. We could not figure out how to get inside the House. The parking lot was in the back of the Manor so we parked there and got out and hesitantly went up to the back door but, with no luck, it was locked. Then we thought maybe we had to go to the front. So we walked around to the front door, and tried to go in but again, the door was locked. (This whole time I was repeating the phrase, "I feel so silly!" and making Shaunessy go first) Then we tried knocking and ringing the doorbell. Still no luck. We decided to go back to the car and look up the website on our phones to see if it had instructions. Just then, a man in tennis gear came running around to the back. He was the owner, and he let us in. All was well.

After we checked in, we were shown our room, which was the Honeymoon Suite. It was the cheapest room available and it just looked so nice! We giggled when the owner showed us the room and he said he wasn't weirded out. Here is a little tour of our room!

The most comfortable bed in the whole world. Seriously it was so difficult to get out of everytime we got in. And we were the first to use it. NICE.

Our fancy tub with mirrors all around. Which we never used.

Our shower with not one, not two, not three, but FOUR shower heads. And of course we used all four whenever we showered. Not together obviously...just making that clear...

We highly recommend this fabulous Manor. 

 So on to the real reasons we went to Williamsburg! Busch Gardens and Water Country USA! We went at the absolute perfect time. It was wonderful weather, there weren't that many people there so we didn't have to wait in long lines, oh it was wonderful.

A must take picture am I right?

We took this same picture in 7th or 8th grade but we can seem to locate it...

Our favorite ride! We rode it 3 times and each time just got better and better.
Of course I laughed the whole entire time. 

Oh and probably the best picture of the trip. We have out bathing suits on.
Don't you worry. It was just another must take picture. 

Adventure 2- Rascal Flatts 
Our last-minute adventure to Rascal Flatts. From the moment we parked we knew it was going to be a good night. The van next to us was full of old drunk, yet surprisingly friendly, men. They saw us taking a picture of ourselves in our car of, so they knocked on our window to offer to take the picture. We promised to save them a dance and wake them up if they passed out at the end of the concert. Unfortunately, neither of those things happened.

Here is the picture the friendly drunk took. :)

Then, right when we walked in this girl in front of us threw up. She didn't even stop walking. She just threw up while walking and afterwards said to her friends, "I'm not even drunk!" Yup, this promised to be a great night. We stepped up the stairs to scout out a spot on the lawn, and the picked the best seats. We had a good view of the stage and most importantly a good view of some crazy people. We saw this boy and girl who seemed to have just met make out -- really, really awkwardly while they grind to the country music along side their friends, who were a couple. (This other girl by us said, "Who grinds to country?!" Well said sister, well said.) Once the girls, left the two boys proceeded to high five each other for "getting some" and then continued to scout out other girls to awkwardly "get some" with. Boy, did we have fun with those two.

Rascal <3

Then behind us we had a bunch of rednecks just having a good ol' time. Country concerts are always a perfect opportunity to people watch. The whole night Shaunessy and I were saying to each other, "This is just great, I love people." And if all that wasn't enough, at the very end of the concert a boy comes up to us, beer in hand, and shouts, "Aww man!! I lost my friends!!" I said, "I'm sorry dude.." and he replies, "Have you lost your friends??" I said, "Nope I just came with her," (pointing to Shaunessy) He then says, "Uh-oh, you aren't lesbians are you?" We then made sure it was clear we weren't by kissing him. HAHA jk. We didn't do that. But he kept talking about how he lost his friends and we wished him luck and after a couple minutes he decided to keep on walking because he decided no matter how hard he tried, we weren't interested so he decided to stop hitting on us. His words- "I guess I'll stop hitting on you guys, it doesn't seem to be working.." Although nothing is more attractive then a man holding an empty beer can (please sense the sarcasm there) he was correct, it wasn't working.

What a night. Always an adventure with this girl, always an adventure. Love you Shaunessy. :)

Yes, I am 19 and still cannot live without my Blankie.

When I was little I stole a blanket my Grandma Turner had made for one of Sara’s dolls. I don’t remember what intrigued me so much about this particular blanket but whatever it was, it made me want it enough to risk the wrath of Sara once she realized I took it. She must not have cared too much because I’m still alive and the blanket is still mine.

I know it’s silly to still be attached to something so childish, especially having just finished my freshmen year of college, but honestly, I don’t care. My blankie and me have been through so much together it just doesn’t make any sense to leave him behind. It just doesn’t seem fair. He’s my source of comfort. Even after all these years. You’d think I would have grown out of it and moved on but nope. He’s been with me through it all, and will continue to be.

 

Ever since I was little I have loved soft things. When I’m in a store and a something looks soft, I don’t even try to fight the urge to touch it, before I can even think about it my hand is already glued to it. I think this strange little phenomenon all started with my blankie. I don’t know where I got this idea but I would suck on my tongue and rub a specific corner of my blankie constantly. The tongue sucking caused a lot of dental issues later down the line and luckily I have grown out of that but I still find myself finding anything soft and stroking it. My go to places are my bottom lip when it is smooth and if not there, then the little crevasse under my nose above my lip. For whatever reason doing that just soothes me. Strange I know.

When I was little he was more then just a sense of comfort, he was anything I wanted him to be. He was my magic carpet, my headdress, my fancy princess skirt, my superman cape, and so much more. We went on so many adventures together. We went any and everywhere. He is the best travel buddy.

I think it's safe to say that I was an odd child. 

Now that I’m 19 years old we don’t play as much make believe, but he is one of my first choices for comfort. I honestly don’t even know why he is so special to me but I have a couple guesses.

Even my Dad found it comforting.

My first guess is because my cute Grandma Turner made him. She passed away a few years ago and my blankie is the only tangible thing I have left of her. She was such a strong and simply wonderful woman. When she found out that I loved that blanket enough to have the cleaning ladies think it was an old dirty rag that they could throw away she made me a new identical blanket. I was reluctant to use it so my sneaky mom sowed the two blankets together forcing me to use it. Now both blankets have been loved to pieces.

My second guess is because he has been there for me through all the tough times in my life. Through every illness, discomfort, and mishap he was there. After I found out my mom had breast cancer I remember going straight to my cabin and clinging tight to my blankie trusting he would help me through this. And he did. After I tore my ACL my senior year as soon as I got in bed that night I grabbed my blankie searching for the same comfort he had offered me so many other times in my life. And now as I struggle through the challenging decisions ahead of me I cling to my blankie with the same faith that I’ll receive the same comfort I’ve been blessed with my whole life.

My third guess is that my blankie is one of the only constant things in my life right now. I think I transitioned pretty well from high school to college but I’d be lying if I said it was easy. It was those nights where I missed home so bad that I once again clung to my blankie knowing he would get me through the night. Which he always did.

Now like I said before, I know it’s silly to be to attached to something so childish, but I don’t care. Some people look to music, books, food, or whatever for comfort, but I look to my childhood, and now adulthood, best friend, which just so happens to be a blanket. 

Here are some present day pictures of my and my Blankie, do enjoy:

look at how loved it is! 

classic sucking on tongue and rubbing a corner of the Blankie

<3

Summer Beach Trip Part 1

This weekend has been one of the best weekends of my life. I am just so blessed and filled with gratitude for the amazing people in my life and my beautiful surroundings here in the Outer Banks. My parents were nice enough to let me invite a couple friends to crash our beloved beach week and I seriously can't thank them enough for it. Let me try to put in words for you just how great this weekend has been.

Day 1:
Emily slept over at my house and after some nice pillow talk we went to bed only to wake up a few hours later before the break of dawn at 4:30. We were out of the house by 5 and on our way to Avon, North Carolina by 5:30.  We made great time and got to the house early afternoon and headed straight for the beach. After some time at the beach we thought we'd check out the pool. We had nummy Taco Salads and had the first of many interesting discussions and random things with the help of Mom's "Table Topic" cards. Later that night we got ice cream and watch "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close." We star gazed a little then went to bed.

Day 2:

Everyone rolled out of bed around 11:30 and it was raining so we played our favorite game, pounce. Of course, I won. Then we decided to go to the Lighthouse. We took some pictures and decided against paying 7 bucks to walk a billion stairs and headed home to go to the beach. On our way home we stopped at some shops and stole some things (Brandon), took some racy pictures, and just had a jolly ol' time. On Day one I got a little more sun then intended so I took my umbrella, chair, and most importantly, Diet Coke and took my role as Mom on the beach. I took some fun pictures of my "kids", read and wrote in my journal. So proud of those kids. After our beach time we came home to Hawaiian Haystacks which became a quick crowd favorite. We had more interesting discussions led by the "Table Topics" cards. This particular discussion was interesting and may or may not have prompted me to get a little emotional. After the tear-jerking discussion, we watched Super 8, a movie I didn't particularly care for. Then we headed to bed, where Brandon farted and made the room smell awful. I was lucky enough to get my own room so I was unaffected by the smell. But let me tell you, it was bad. 

Day 3: 

Again we all got up around 12 and headed right to the beach. After laughing and choking in the ocean we retired to just chill on the beach. But then diaster struck- Griffin lost his Go Pro in the ocean. We took many walks on the beach hoping and praying (well I guess I did most of the praying) for a miracle, but no luck. After the beach we decided to get snow cones from our favorite place and then head to the pool. The pool was quite an eventful experience. Emily was spinning me around and I was laughing so hard in and out of the water. Then after the spinning stopped I was coughing from laughing in the water and...well...I threw up. In the pool. I don't understand how that could have happened. I mean come on? I've never been one to throw up after spinning or getting dizzy! I've had many of those snow cones over the years and never have had that reaction. Maybe it was because I was choking? I don't understand. But after I threw up we immediately swam away and could not stop laughing. I don't think I've ever laughed that hard in my whole life. I just don't understand how that happened. Then the weirdest part was that the throw up was nowhere to be found. All I remember seeing was red flecks and then in that moment I was so embarrassed and so I tried to spread it around so you couldn't see it. Then I turned and swam away. Everytime I think about it I just burst into laughter. I just can't believe that actually happened. But anyways, on to the rest of the day. After the pool we came home and had left overs for dinner and then went off to find s'mores ingredients and wood to have a bonfire on the beach. That night was one of those nights you just never want to end. There were a couple moments where we all just sat silently listening to Brandon playing his guitar and just looked up at the stars and tried to take it all in. Then one of us (ok usually me) would break the silence by saying something cheesy like, "I just love you guys!" or "I don't want to have to leave tomorrow!"All together it was an amazing night. It was one of those nights, and days, you just never forget. 

Day 4:

Day 4 was relatively uneventful. Emily, Griffin, and I woke up to watch the sunrise, which was very nice, then we came home to go back to sleep. Around 11:30 everyone was packed up and ready to leave. We said our good-byes and they were off. I was left alone with my parents, who aren't all bad. :) 

All in all my weekend was one of the best weekends ever. I have the best friends and the best parents. I'm so blessed. 

Most all of these pictures were taken by Griffin Harrington. Check him out, griffinharrington.com

One year ago today...

Exactly one year ago today I had surgery on my ACL. 

It's amazing how much has changed in one year. 

I am no longer a high school student, or even a college freshmen for that matter. 

I feel like I have improved in a lot of ways since then.

But definitely still have a lot I need to work on.

For one thing, I can walk. Not only walk but run, and most importantly-play lacrosse. I'll admit I'm terrified to play again. I joined this women's league to play in over the summer and so I'm hoping I get over most of my fears before I try out for BYU's team. I'm really excited to play again, but I think I'll always be terrified of having to go through another rough, immobile year. I'll admit I've wondered if playing again was worth risking tearing my ACL again, and although pretty much everything sucked about tearing my ACL, I got through it and here I am exactly one year later stronger and better for it. And then I remember how much I love lacrosse and there is no question, it's 100% worth it.