LMP

The Oak Tree by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr. A mighty wind blew night and day. It stole the Oak Tree's leaves away. Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark until the Oak was tired and stark. But still the Oak Tree held its ground while other trees fell all around. The weary wind gave up and spoke, "How can you still be standing Oak?" The Oak Tree said, I know that you can break each branch of mine in two, carry every leaf away, shake my limbs and make me sway. But I have roots stretched in the earth, growing stronger since my birth. You'll never touch them, for you see they are the deepest part of me. Until today, I wasn't sure of just how much I could endure. But now I've found with thanks to you, I'm stronger than I ever knew.

Thursday~ The long wasp-yellow bus dropped them off at the top of Manchester. They started walking home, talking about the first week of their Junior year. But all Tori could think about was the water flowing rapidly down the hill in the gutter. It looked so fresh and cool and clean! "Wait!" Tori said as she got on her knees, leaned forward and prepared to slurp up some water off the ground. At this point, although not too surprised at her friend's strange behavior, Golda wondered if she knew other people could see her. But Tori did what she wanted, she was who she was, and right now she wanted that water. After a few good gulps she got up and they laughed. Golda cupped a tiny bit in her hand and drank some. It was really good, and only a little bit gritty. That night, after ballet Golda got asked to Homecoming. And then Tori did, and then Maddy did! On the same night! Golda still couldn't find her English book so she went over and borrowed Maddy's and Tori an

My friend asked me to Homecoming today! His plan didn't work out perfectly but it was funny and it's the thought that counts right? I'm so excited! I'm in a group with one of my very best friends, Tori and her nice date and two other couples. Thanks Evyn! PS: Hope the first week is going well for everybody! I already have had quite a bit of homework. Not to mention I lost my Honors English test book on the day I got it. Dad, hopefully it's in your car?? I like all my classes and have a friend in every one! The only class I think I will have trouble with is Precalc and Honors Chemistry. Tori, wanna form a study group? ;) Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!!

 Madamania nut cookie from Oakridge. Looks good right? Well it was, but it had freezer burn. So my mom took it back and we got a chocolatechip instead. We'll have to try again... :)  My friend got a bunch of dresses from her graduated friend so we went over to her house to try them on just for fun. Thanks Manda!  My bruise from Dance Company. Just one of many. They look so wimpy in pictures!  I took X and Tolly to the school to play and eat a special Milano cookie. Tolly is standing on DC and X is near SLC. It represents our summer!  I craved David's in Europe so this made me verrrry happy!  While I had a few days by myself at home, I made my dad a book of our NY trip. He loved the trip so much when he got home he did the ugly cry. My mom also did the ugly cry when telling the kids about the pioneers on their epic road trip. Tizzy was in the car with her and is into imitating lately, so she imitated my mom and said "Meep meep meep" So now whenever so

I know 6th grade will treat you well! I... Lost my voice on Shakespeare audition day and to my great surprise/disappointment played the father in Taming of the Shrew and the ref person in a dueling scene. Not my best moment as far as my acting career ;) Mrs. Waycool was having health issues, so we didn't see her often Realized I wanted to dance the rest of my life Had Mrs. Warden Got to be best friends with Anna Kletzli who is still my good friend and we have lunch together everyday Got ready for Junior High Sang in the class guitar band club

Freestone, you're becoming bilingual this year so I will seem pretty lame but in 5th grade I... Was in the 5th grade program Liked a certain boy who liked me back Danced at 50s day to Hairspray with Amanda and Phebe Went to Colonial Day Had Mrs. Kunz Had an end-of-the-year Indiana Jones party

Xanthe you're going to love this year! When I was in 3rd grade I... Had Mrs. Clements in a portable Learned to never begin a sentence with the word because Made sure to always call my teacher Mrs. Clements instead of teacher Started to love dogs even more because of Mrs. Clements

Can't believe Ari is in 6th, Free is in 5th and X is a new little 3rd grader!  What to wear??  This is my Dance Company binder. How adorable is this picture of me and my first ballet teacher Lisa?! I was a magpie I took this beauty at 12 am on Friday night. I wanted to stay up to say goodbye to summer since technically that's when it ended :) When I was little, a Junior seemed soooooo old! I didn't even know the order of freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, until.... well, I was halfway through my freshman year. When my babysitters or girls in my ward or my friends' older sisters said they were in 11th grade I just thought that was so different. So sophisticated! Now that I'm a junior, it is kind of old. I mean college isn't very far off. Maybe it's the easing into it that makes it seem like a smaller jump though. Seeing the sophomores today was weird . They belong in Junior High!   ;) Anyway, the first day was awesome. I

I'm so glad that for the most part they're over!

Preposterous plan was a success. This summer has been one to remember. The best one yet. In the history of the world. Thank you thank you to all who made it happen! I love summer and I love life! I have these memories forever and more great things down the road. Ok Junior year.... Let's do this!! Au revoir summer 2013! You have a special place in my heart

Well since the bathroom downstairs was lucky enough to encounter my dad's redecorating/finishing the house spree, it's almost done! I thought it wouldn't be done until I moved out and I've secretly been hoping it would be so I could have my own bathroom. It would be so nice not to have to use my parent's or the guest bathroom! Well... now I can start putting my ideas for it to use! I'm sharing it with Ari. I want to do fun, colorful, different, happy colors. It doesn't have any windows so I don't want much decor or dark colors either. I would also like to do a theme. Like travel, Paris, dance, butterflies, etc. I also want to do a photoshoot with Ari to have some black and white pictures of us to hang in there with some colorful frames :)  I just need it to have some orange!  I love this one! It even has the turquoise that Ari wanted but that I did not

Girls Camp this year was amazing. We got home today and I'm sad it's over! But next week I have a Dance Company photo-shoot and some workshops that I'm simply so excited about! They always do an amazingly fun job:) Anyway, this year I was a YCL and in charge of Devotionals. I felt bad that I couldn't fully participate in planning since I was in Europe, but it was super fun and it all worked out. Our leader or woman in charge was Julie Karren. She is one of the most amazing people I know. She has breast cancer but did not let that get in the way of planning and attending Girls Camp as if she were Super Woman. Which she is. She gave an amazing devotional that brought the spirit so strongly. She has taken this trial and turned it into a blessing, a challenge, and something that won't stop her. I admire and love her so much! Sister Richards also helped plan the Camp. She made adorable temple-shaped sugar cookies that we ate on the way up to Payson when we stopped to s