thankful

One of my cousins is doing that 30 days of thankfulness, or whatever it is that's going around right now, and I kinda want to do my own version of that. I'm gonna take this post to talk about the things that I'm thankful for, and if I have more that I think of, I'll write another post... Welcome to the creative mind of someone who is eclectic, and forgetful.

First and foremost, because she just left, and I miss her like crazy, I'm so thankful for this girl! Sammantha Grant has been there for me and supported me more consistently than anyone in my life for the past several years. The picture on the left was from the day we literally decided to be best friends. As teenage-girly as that sounds, it was the first step to one of the greatest friendships in my life. Like most friends, we've had ups and downs and seasons of being less connected than others, but I've never questioned our friendship or thought for even a moment that she wasn't going to be in my life forever. Right now she's living in Arizona. When she left this summer, it was much more difficult than I thought it would be. I knew that I wasn't losing her, but I was so sad that the sweet friendship we had was going to have to stretch across the country till I got to see her again. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her friendship in my life. Love you my fellow California girl! <3 <3

If Samm wasn't moving away and my heart wasn't so sad by that, my sisters would probably be first.  I love them so much. They are truly going to be the only constant people in my life. We share memories, games, stories, experiences, and in all honesty, there's no one who can understand me better than them. I love how brutally honest we are with each other, and how, in times of need, I know I can always turn to them first. I loved the years I had with Sydni, where it was just the two of us, and now I'm loving the time I have with Kayla sharing an apartment. My sisters are the greatest people in my life. I wouldn't be who I am if it wasn't for them.

Next is my mom. My mom is one of the wisest and smartest people I know. It hasn't been easy getting by this year without her constant words of advice and encouragement. But it was because of her and everything she invested into raising me that I've been able to succeed out on my own. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not grateful for everything she's done for me. If it wasn't for her, not only would I not be here, but I also wouldn't have had so many incredible opportunities to succeed in life and conquer my fears. My life would have turned out so differently if it wasn't for her constantly fighting for me and giving me everything she was able to. I love you Mom!

It's been a long road reconnecting with my dad. At times it hasn't been easy, but I'm so thankful to finally have a good relationship with him. And I'm so thankful that he was able to be up in Washington when I went to prom. It was a really special day, made even more special by the fact that my dad was able to see me off.

Olivia Anne Hall.... How does one even carry on a regular conversation with this girl and not totally fall in love with her! Olivia is really one in a million. She carries so much joy with her in every step of life. I can count on one hand with 4 fingers left over the number of times I've seen her truly angry. The maturity she has for someone her age is absolutely astounding to me. When I first met Olivia, she'd come running down off a stage to introduce herself to me and say "Oh my gosh, you are so gorgeous! We should be friends!" After that, we were pretty much stuck together forever. Liv and I haven't always had the easiest friendship. But that's the thing with friends that aren't in your life for just a season. When you're friends for life, your friendship will face the trials of a life. And that has definitely been Olivia and I. The trials and struggles each of us have faced independently and as friends have only caused us to grow closer. And I know this is going to be the heartbeat of our friendship forever.

Isabella and I haven't been friends for very long, but she's become like a sister to me. She is truly one of the happiest people I know. Sometimes I struggle in taking life too seriously, but when I'm with her, I always remember that I need to slow down, smile big, and just enjoy today. I'm looking forward to all the memories we're going to have over the coming years!

These kids are amazing! Ellie, Sadie, Malachi, and Jet. I really truly can't describe how much I love all of them. I almost feel bad clumping the 4 of them into one description, because they all couldn't be more different. But I know I have to limit myself, because I could probably dedicate a whole other blog to them alone. It's hard for me to put into words how much I care about them. I have a very different and sweet relationship with each of them that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world! When I said goodbye to them last Christmas before they moved to Colorado, my heart was quite literally broken. So much of my joy and love lies with those kids. I'm so excited to see what each one of them does with their lives! Their future is so amazing and beautiful and watching them grow up so far has been an incredible experience. I'm so sad I can't live closer to them, but I know God has surrounded them with incredible friends in Colorado. But I absolutely can not wait till I get to hug and kiss each one of them again!

Last, but certainly not least, is Emma Grace. I'm actually insanely surprised by our ridiculous lack of pictures together, since we spend an absurd amount of time together. Emma and I have been on and off friends for years, but it wasn't till this summer that we got outrageously close. There's very little in my life I've hidden from her, and despite my failures and annoying 'isms', she is so accepting and loving. I've had a pretty difficult month or so, and she has been so outrageously supportive. I've never once had to question whether or not she'd be there for me. I love her like a sister. Her friendship has kept me laughing and smiling through difficult days, and I know that I can go to her with absolutely anything in the world. I'm sad that I might not get to live with her and that when I go to school next year, I could end up over at Eastern, and not a stone's throw away. But I know that's not going to even touch how close we've become. She's easily become one of my best friends, and I plan on having her in my life forever. <3

As I think of more people that I'm thankful for, I'll probably update this. But for now, these are the most prevalent. I love you all:) Thank for making my life so wonderful!

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17