for the love of tying the knot.

so i havent blogged in a while. and the last thing i should be doing at this moment is blogging.

yet here i am.

writing.

LJ and Kaylie finally tied the knot and although stressful and laborious work, I miss it. I miss the excitement that led up to the blessed event, the black tuxedos, the royal purple dresses, the curly hair, the exchanging of rings, and doing the stanky legg at both of the receptions. Aside from all the fabric, music, and creative minds put into this milestone, the best part of the whole weekend was watching my brother and new sister walk out of the temple doors. They were so happy. They are so happy. I love seeing people so happy.

Marriage is the climax of one's life. Parents spend their lives loving each other and raising children until they are ready to leave the nest and start their own families. After marriage, a whole other life begins. I'm blasted sixteen years old and I love thinking about marriage..not just my own, but the actual idea of getting hitched. In just about all the Disney movies, a "happily ever after" ending consists of the princess or heroine smoochin her stud. She in a gorgeous gown. He in a smashing suit. In the foxy Robin Hood's case...tights. I could really care less when people say that life isn't a fairy tale, or rather, a Disney movie. I love to think of mine as one-just another thing that makes me happy.

So here I am,

looking at wedding magazines with dog eared pages from the past week,

dreaming.

Besides, a dream is a wish your heart makes.

Nomad.

Why is it all so hard? I feel like the list of things I'm putting off is consistently growing. It's like they're on a scroll that unfolds, but it never ends. But whenever I listen to music, everything stops. Maybe that's why I've been so mesmerized by music so easily recently. A song allows me to think freely, without the interruptions of that evil "to do" list. I need to listen to pure piano. Or to Hawaiian music. Music gives me the okay to think as I wish.

"Pua Lililehua" by Hui Ohana.

...thoughts....

I miss my brothers. I miss laughing with them in person. It's not the same over the phone. 

LJ gets married in 20 days. I spent over an hour trying to figure out what song I'm dancing (hula) to for him for his wedding. It's gonna be hard to choose...

"E Ku'u Morning Dew" by Keola Beamer.

...I wish you were back home. with me.

...why do I feel so alone, all of a sudden?

hmph. just realized that sounded a little too emo. but whatever. everyone feels it every once in a while, right?

...sorry this is all over the place, folks, but that's exactly where my mind currently resides. all over the place.

dreaming state of mind.

I've always thought it was illegal to write more than one blog in one day. If it is, then I'm probably breaking a couple of them, since my last one was less than 5 minutes ago.

Speaking of breaking laws, I heard this interesting thought on a tape Trey was listening to pre-mish.
What does it mean to "break" the law? I never even realized how awesome of a personification it is. It's not just the law you're breaking. It's you.

I just spent seven minutes trying to remember the word personification. I hate it when that happens. I asked my dad what the word was, but he gave me that deer in the headlights look. Of course he had to justify his expression by saying that it's my job to learn for myself. Right.

"Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight" by Amos Lee is one of the most chill songs.
so is "Fever Dream" by Iron and Wine.

For the past few days I really have just been in a dreamy type disposition. The kind where I listen to music non-stop. I listen to slow songs, or songs that require thought. Bleeding Love.

I can't even put my finger on it. I find my eyes just going into that daze where I'm looking down, or looking into space, daydreaming. Thinking about the way I felt at certain times and places within the past few months.

There I go again.

Daydreaming.

creative juice activity: negative.

List #1: Today.

1. This morning was the first time I actually, legitamately fell asleep in seminary. Yeah, there's the days where I close my eyes, but I honestly don't fall asleep. I listen. and I think. but Dain and I were out this morning.

2. I was in a really unusual mood for the first few periods of the day. I wasn't unhappy, but I just didn't say much to anyone all morning. I felt like I was in a dream, drifting and floating from class to class...like I was the Disney Hercules when he meets his supreme father Zeus, and Zeus picks him up from his toga and places him wherever he pleases as Hercules just dangles. That was me. Ms. Dangle.

3. After prayers and announcements at the end of the day today I took a trip to the classroom of my world cultures teacher frosh year. I wanted to tell him about my weekend. I was looking forward to telling him about it all day, even though he had no clue I was coming. I have no clue why I was so hooked on telling him about it, but I was stoked. And he wasn't there. Gah.

4. "My Girl" by the Temptations just came on my iPod. I watched Father of the Bride, one of my favorite movies EVER last night with Dain, and I can never get enough of the scene with this song. You know, the one where George and Annie are playing one on one as the melodic music weaves smoothly through the scene "I've got sunshine, on a cloudy day."

5. Today is the first day this school year where I am finished homework by 5:00. Unbelievable.

6. I haven't been on facebook for a few days, and I checked it when I completed my work. 4 notifications. I'm really cool.
however, I got a wall post that made me smile. I guess thats all that really matters.
:]

7. My English teacher gave me an extraordinary compliment on a paper I broke my back over for countless, endless nights. I'm thinking that was the climax of my day. It's pretty much the best evidence I have for being a geek, because thinking about it actually makes me really happy.


List #2 A shuffle on the pod.

1. Tell Me I'm Wrong ... Hema Heimuli
2. Here I Am...Leona Lewis
3. Save the Last Dance for Me...Michael Buble
4. Ballerina Girl...Lionel Richie
5. Good Old Fashioned Loverboy...Queen
6. You Are...Lionel Richie
7. I'll Be There...The Jackson 5
8. The Climb...Miley Cyrus
9. Mary's Song (Oh My My My)...Taylor Swift
10. Ilonga Ha Taha...My Sister (The Wolfgramm Sisters)
11. Sky (feat. Ingrid Michaelson)...Joshua Radin
12. Open Arms...Journey
13. Lost...Michael Buble
14. Thankful...Josh Groban
15. I Wanna Know...Joe
16. Wild Horses...Natasha Bedingfield
17. No Air...Jordin Sparks ft. Chris Brown
18. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant...Billy Joel
19. Who's Lovin' You...The Jackson 5
20. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing...Leo Sayer
21. Refuge (When It's Cold Outside)...John Legend
22. Stuck on You...Lionel Richie
23. Reasons...Earth, Wind, & Fire
24. Step in the Name of Love...R.Kelly
25. For the Beauty of the Earth...Jon Schmidt
26. She Will Be Loved...Maroon 5
27. Human Nature...Michael Jackson
28. Forever...Chris Brown
29. Bennie and the Jets...Elton John
30. Got to be There...Michael Jackson
31. My Girl...The Temptations

Fair share of scrunchies and grass stains

Growing up, I never thought having three older brothers could be so life changing. My thoughts were always geared towards wishing for a perfect little sister that would let me paint her nails, do her hair, talk about boys, go shopping, give her advice, watch chick flicks, take pictures, throw surprise birthday parties for, and take "girl trips" out to lunch every other weekend. I remember my first babysitting job was with the Lewis girls-Emily and Sarah, who were just a few years younger than me. They were both the perfect kids to babysit. It was almost as if I were being paid to hang out with my friends, or even better, my two little sisters. They're now the oldest of seven kids total, and are still so mature and fun to be around.

As the years have passed, I have come to notice how much I love having three older brothers. And how much I love them. I had my mom to do all of the girlie things when I was the little princess. You know, matching my headbands and bows with my outfits to a T; painting my nails while I slept in my royal bed..and didn't make a single smudge once; dressing me up in my favorite glittery gold dress; the endless effort and time put into my updo for me and daddy's annual "Daddy Daughter Date" on my birthday weekend; and most importantly, teaching me to sit, talk, and act like a lady at age two. It was not difficult to follow her counsel at such a young age because she was and is the ultimate example for me on how to be lady. How else am I supposed to learn those little smidgens of feminine advice with a house full of macho's?

Aside from the countless amount of girly goods my mom provided, my brothers and dad made up for them. BIG time. Playing with worn out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figures and toy guns; and having no mercy in the backyard with infinite games of baseball, football, dodgeball, run the bases, and my personal favorite, jailbreak. During the summer I would challenge the neighborhood kids to a race almost on a daily basis-barefoot, of course. Then we would chase the ice cream truck with quarters flying from our pockets to buy tons of candy and ice cream. Landon always bought something different, LJ never left without an ice cream sandwich-the chocolate chip cookie kind, and Treybo always exchanged MY quarters for a foot long cherry laffy taffy. My favorite was the Mickey Mouse shaped chocolate and vanilla ice cream on a stick. I could never forget playing baseball with Trey until dusk on school nights while in elementary school. We always negotiated with Mama when she called us in for dinner for a couple more innings, but she made us come in right away and eat our vegetables. On those days my hair took control of my hair tie and was in a crazy loose ponytail with wispies all over the place. No matching bows or headbands. Maybe an occasional coordinating scrunchie. Grass stain streaks ran across my Limited Too shirt and shorts.

But all of that has changed. The boys started attending high school, liking girls, going to dances, then college, and then missions. Now I'm in high school.

My childhood is in the past.

And I'm okay with it.

That's all part of growing up, isn't it? Accepting the fact that you're growing up is a huge step, but probably an even larger step for the parents. I still tie ribbons in my hair, and I still love playing backyard baseball games with the neighborhood kids, even if we're in high school and college.

The craziest part about this is that LJ is getting married.

hitched.

tying the knot.

So my dreams of having a sister are coming true. Not only that, but she's an absolute doll. I'm coming to love her in a familial way, which is a different feel, but incredible nonetheless. Soon to be Mrs. Kaylie Sikahema. There will be seven of us. I couldn't be happier with our new addition. I love you, Kaylie Jean...just as much as my mud-covered dress days.

Update..although most of you already know.

I don't even know what to say. It's almost been a month since the last time I posted, and SO SO SO much has happened. So instead of elaborating on a ton of things, I'll give a quick update on all the things that have happened. They won't be in order, just because I'm just gonna let all of it fly...

1. Leland James came home.

2. Leland James got engaged...

to Kaylie.

3. Level 4 at GC set a record of hiking the mountain: 45 minutes.

4. went to Education Week at BYU

5. hung out with the Jersey crew who are now freshmen at the Y for a week

6. helped LJ get a [possible] job of writing children's books.

in Chinese...SO stoked for him!!

7. I turned 16.

8. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9. went on a date..doubled with my engaged brother. and had a blast :]

10. school started. meh.

I'm really not feeling very creative, to tell you the truth. And I'm sure you can already see it in this post. But I promise that I won't wait as long as I did to write in my next blog. Until next time. :)

I just spent a total of 15 minutes texting and typing random letters of outrageous excitement, drumming my fingers on the desk, constantly moving my feet, smiling uncontrollably, and cracking up. He's at the airport. The two years are closing in.

O;AISJGOVIANOVJOAFJOJFANO;EASPIDFKASJFALJFCALSKDPGKJORIHJGKAFNASFJOAISFJSLFJSOFFJALKSJDFAIJEFL;

LAKSJFIAJKGHIARLUHFAEIJFA;SIJHUHGIUGUFUYILULIJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...oh perfect. "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" by Leo Sayer just came on iTunes shuffle. 

Coincidence? More like flippin fate.

Dang right, I'm dancing right now.

Symbolism? Nah..

  Had a crazy dream last night. all i remember was i was wearing gray converses in some dirty old locker room, and as i was tying them with my foot on the bench, I looked up and I saw someone standing there in a dark brown robe with a big hood and I could see his face. It was LJ, and he was smiling at me. I figure that part of my dream came from the scene from Zorro where Alejandro sees Zorro in the middle of the chaotic crowd right before Zorro makes his appearance. I just watched that sensational flick a couple nights ago. Anyway, so I saw LJ in the robe, and then I walked out into the gym from the locker room, and he was lecturing a bunch of my classmates and old friends. Who knows what he was lecturing them about, but I remember the whole speech rhymed. And then Trey's rugby coach came up to me after the lecture and told me I was welcome to be the assistant to the team...meaning I would travel with the team everywhere. LJ stood next to me, and with his approval, I agreed. Then LJ and I were hugging like there was no tomorrow because I hadn't seen him in two years, of course. The ocean was the next stop for LJ and me. We were swimming and it was extremely cloudy and grey outside, but we didn't have a care in the world. We were enjoying ourselves in the water, until a gigantic navy ship came and pretty much occupied the body of water where we were swimming. We weren't worried about being run over by the ship, but we were just annoyed that it was taking up our enjoyment territory. Suddenly the ship stood still, and the people on it and people on the shore were making small talk with us. I don't remember who they were or what they were saying, but I remember they were extremely friendly. The last part I remember was LJ holding me in the water and both of us were smiling. 

I could find symbolism in my dream and analyze it, but I'm just so stoked for LJ to get home, I don't even care. All I know and care about is that I was in the presence of my brother again. 

one day.

 I know you'll love this, kaylie jean.

Iloa'a e ke ola mau: Let me walk through paradise with you

   "Hey Lana! My mom and I are heading to the shore tomorrow to watch the sunrise. We would love to have you come.." This happened yesterday after lunch and church. Nelly McNaughton, a close friend to my brother and just returned from serving his mission, came and picked me up last night and we headed to Ocean City this morning. The sunrise ended up being in the fog and we couldn't see through it, but it was definitely worth it. Just to hear the ocean, put my feet in the sand, and be with some of my favorite people in the world was all worth a foggy sunrise. This was a tradition for their family, and now that everyone in their family is either married or in college, Nelson hadn't done it since he was little. So I was just glad and grateful they invited me to tag along. If I live close to the ocean when I have my own family, this will undoubtedly be one of our family traditions. Pack all the kiddies in the car with an enormous blanket, sweatshirts, pillows to sleep in the car with, and cinnamon rolls. Then when we arrive to the shore, we'll write our names in the sand and watch as the water captures our names, as my kids will capture the memory. Then we'll sit close together on our gigantic blanket as we watch the sun climb onto the horizon. I'm not sure why I have been doing this, but I've recently been thinking and recording in my mind things I want to do with my children in the future. I know, it's really strange. But it just makes me more excited to have my own family, and more grateful for my own family. This morning was undoubtedly one of the best ways to start off my day this whole summer. 

Oh, and Elder Leland James Sikahema comes home in five days. Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it. 

Philadelphia Freedom

   I never thought it'd be possible to attend a concert containing two musical geniuses. I certainly couldn't contain myself the whole night. Billy Joel and Elton John. The piano gods. The concert was held in Citizens Bank Park-The Phillies stadium. So when Elton started playing the train like chords and started with "I used to  be a Rolling Stone, you know..." the stadium caused as much pandemonium as the blessed day the Phillies won the World Series. I'm pretty sure that if Elton John was living during 1776 he would have been the first one to sign the Declaration of Independence. Even though he's from England, Philadelphia Freedom would have been the nation's anthem. The song conveyed absolute freedom. Everyone was on their feet when it began, and whether you were drunk out of your pants or completely healthy, you were belting the chorus. "Philadelphia Freedom, I love you...yes I do."

the past 2 weeks? absolutely sensational.

LJ will be in my presence exactly 7 days from this moment.

YC? through the roof.

went to a billy joel and elton john concert--

will write about it in the very near future.

lovin the way things are right now.

lovin and livin it up

:]

Blog vs. Journal?

Okay so a ton has been going on for the past couple days, yet at the same time, barely anything has happened. Explanation:

Thursday: I took a dive into the pool next door for the very first time this whole summer. Last year, I went in the day it opened...early April. It was freezing...the air, the water, and me. After a few hours at the neighbor's house, I came home and a rainstorm came almost instantly. It was perfect timing. My friend had been texting me how rough his life had been going, but he somehow found and ran towards the positive and happy wall rather the negative and unhappy wall most people run to a little too quickly. It was pretty random, but like I said, it was all perfect timing. The rain started falling, and the sun was beaming through the clouds towards all of our windows in the house and the whole scene related perfectly to those times in our lives. The rain will fall boisterously, and it may ruin some plans, but that doesn't mean we can't find the sun.

Friday: Dain spent the night. We woke up at noon. We were aching to finger paint. No paint in the house. No paint next door. No finger painting happened. So we made jewelry instead. We then spent a little over an hour singing-nay, belting...wailing songs in spanish. I still am to figure out why half of her ipod is foreign. That's when we decided to make a soundtrack for our lives. Landon suggested to make a list of top 100 songs of all time. We'll see what happens. Dain, mama and I ate enchiladas and drank homemade limeade as we watched the Tribute to our Beloved Michael Jackson that mama recorded last week. I came really close to tears more than once. Barely did anything yesterday...but the day was what summer's all about. Sleeping in, creating things, singing while laying dog tired, limeade, and watching the king of pop.

Today: I went to sleep around 2ish this morning...no solid explanation. My best excuse is probably still trying to get used to the switch in time differences from Utah. Anyway, I woke up at 4:30 this morning to take Charlie out and head down to the Washington D.C. temple for volunteer work with my ward to help clean the grounds. We couldn't have picked a more perfect day when it comes to weather. Everything was absoultely beautiful. When we were done, I went into the visitor's center to see their new universe exhibit. It had pictures of stars and galaxies along with scriptures describing God's creations. I was the first one to leave a comment in their "comment book" saying how much I enjoyed the exhibit.  

I apologize if I used this entry as a journal, for it's probably not as interesting as what goes on in other entries, if interesting at all. But I felt that I had to somehow record what's happened over the course of these past few days, and I don't really have a journal. Oh, and by the way...thanks to Dain Broadbent who introduced me to the incredible song "Postcards from Far Away" by Coldplay...I've finally mastered it on the piano within these couple of days. I hope you all love it as much as I do, because frankly, I can't get enough.

it doesnt get better than this!!

1. Just got home from efy.

2. On a high.

3. that rhymed.

4. have a million and one goals set

5. trying to figure out how to achieve them 

6. finally have a legit tanline because i went to the beach yesterday

7. miss having all of my brothers home

8. feel like a child right now..which is a fantastic feeling

9. loving a huge list of songs right now

10. noticed ive used the word fantastic several times within the last couple of days

11. dang it, summer is so fantastic.

London doesn't know what's comin

It's official. There are now two Elder Sikahemas serving in two capital cities of the world at this very moment. One in Hong Kong, China, the other in London, England. Our family and friends said a sweet goodbye to Elder Leonard Trey Sikahema yesterday at the airport as he anxiously walked through the sliding doors. In all honesty, I didn't shed a tear once yesterday. I feel that there has been so much hype in the departure of Elder Sikahema, that I was just ready for him to leave and start living the two years he's been preparing for his whole life. He had to go.

 

I'm not going to get into the preparation he's had for the past nineteen years of his life, and I don't even want to reminisce the good times I've had with Trey. It's not that I don't want to conjure special memories with him because I miss him, but because I feel that what's happening now and what's happened in the past couple of days is more significant than the life I've lived with Trey. The night before Elder Sikahema left, my uncle Leonard (Treybo's namesake) brought my  great grandpa's guitar and played a couple songs. The first one he played was "Edelweiss" which I realized is one of the prettiest songs to be sung and played on the planet. He then played and sang a song in Tongan that expressed the wonderful and tragic life of the prophet Joseph Smith. There's something about listening to a song sung in the language of your people. It's gratifying. It's humbling. It's beautiful.

 

When I woke up July 2, I felt elated. There was such a miniscule size of ache in me, and I couldn't help but love to see Trey dressed in his brand new suit  in which I hope to see tattered and close to ruined when he returns home honorably. Saying goodbye to Elder Sikahema was a completely different feel compared to Elder Leland J. Sikahema and Landon. I wasn't ready to let go of them. I needed them to stay  home and watch after me when I was scared and helpless. But for Trey, I'm more grown up. I knew how ready he was, and there's people in London aching for him to bring them the gospel. I practically felt the ache for them. That's why I barely miss him. I just wish I could see his face as he arrives in Atlanta to meet his companions, and the zeal they must have as they board the airplane to London, England. They're warriors.

 

So here's to you, Elder Leonard Trey Sikahema, as you embark on a journey where you are the keystone to changing lives. London doesn't know what's coming. I love you, and go dominate.

What is Inspiration?

I've always loved this song, but after my cousin showed me this video, I have so much more appreciation for it. Check this out..

As I said before, I've loved the song "Bleeding Love" since it first came out. But after watching this dance to it, it has so much more meaning. It's funny, because I've always thought that random clips on YouTube and TV show bits have been really cool, but not necessarily "inspiring." In fact, I become a little annoyed by some of the things my friends send me via email or text that are to be in context "inspirational." However, when I watched this video, it didn't inspire me to change the world, but it actually made me think about how sad it is that so many people and families are going through this type of situation. To be honest, I had chills. I was absolutely shocked at how a video one minute and fifty seconds long could make me consider the state people are in today. I couldn't imagine living a life close to perfection, and then having it vanished so quickly.

I had been dancing since I was four years old to the end of my eighth grade year. There's something about dancing that is miraculous. It's how you express your feelings just through the movements of your body. Yet it's not always "body language." You can show anger, frustration, love, joy, depression, and every angle of your personality. Expression is to show how YOU feel. It's up to you if you want to perform it or not. It's like grasping your feeling in your hand and letting it go severely or delicately, and sometimes a combination of both. When I first started to learn hula as a little girl, one of the first things my mom said before I learned a single step or hand motion is "you tell a story." Whether you're telling your story, or somebody else's, whatever you do when the music comes on is what you want your audience to know. What's amazing about this video is that far too many people know this story, and you can experience every emotion to its extreme. So in the end, it's always okay to show if you're bleeding love.

Human by Jon McLaughlin

Summer plans have changed pretty drastically.

My cousins came to visit their newborn nephew/grandson, and now the cousin my age is staying another 3 weeks with me.

Money.

I've realized that I actually enjoy talking to adults more than teens. 

I know. It's really odd. I can't figure out what my deal is. 

There was a stake event last night and I found myself conversing in a circle of adults more than once.

Or even with an adult one on one.

Hm. I'll have to take some time to figure that one out.

But I'm going to 6 Flags tomorrow. 

More flags, more fun.

Bring on the flags.

My fellow bloggers...

I'm a greenie, rookie, whatever you want to call it to blogging. wanna give a hand in how to makeover my page from this jade green number? I'll take anything.

Bittersweet with Dr. Pepper.

iPod or cell phone? For me...iPod hands down. There's no doubt I use it more. My brother Trey pointed out that a phone is a leash where my parents are the domineering owners and we kids are the panting pets. In fact, my mom's contact name has always been "The General." Now don't get me wrong, I love my parents to death, and of course they must always check in to make sure their kiddies are okay. That's fair. However, that doesn't mean that I don't get annoyed every once in a while. 

 

So anyway, Treybo dropped my iPod in Mama's cup of Dr. Pepper. To tell you the truth, we both laughed after it happened. I figured that my infamous pod would pull through as it always has, but it didn't. How could this happen?! It got snow wedged up its plug while I was snowboarding, and it never stopped playing "Ain't Too Proud To Beg." My dog had the whole thing in the grinding of his teeth after dinner, and still played "Human" by Jon McLaughlin as well as The Killers. It even survived a rainstorm on the grass after the 4th of July while playing "America," you know, the soulful one by Ray Charles in The Sandlot. The Pod awoke to sprinklers one morning on the hammock and decided it could fight them off with Jack Johnson. No, it never paused....until the cup of Dr. Pepper. 

 

I'm guessing you all think that I should yell at my brother and never forgive him for such an act. But I've actually taken on this theory of thinking about a situation before you say anything dumb. You may have heard of it before. So I did exactly that, and all has gone well so far. I told Treybo that my pod isn't working, and he apologized, and we both actually kind of chuckled about it. Who knows why. So I had a little revelation, if you want to call it that, today in Costco about my iPod situation. Mom was printing out pics for Trey's invitation to his farewell, in which he looks pretty stunning, and I wanted to go check out some new iPods in the store. I came to find that Costco had no iPods to be found, however, I was fortunate to stumble upon a massive table stacked with books. And that's when my new obsession was introduced.

To my brother Leland James

Awoke to a thunderstorm this morning, and couldn't stop smiling. Thoughts and memories have been rushing through my mind as I have gazed at every crack of lightning. The last time I saw a storm like this was on a humid summer morning when I was about 6 or 7, and I watched the storm carry on with my brother LJ. I was in my room and he was in his. I wanted to see what my family was doing, and as I walked by his bedroom, I saw him on his bed hypnotized by the pounding and flashing in the hazy sky. I remember sneaking in, probably in one of my dad's gargantuan T-shirts, and crawling into the bed with LJ. He gave me a hug and kiss as usual, and without a word, he and I watched the power of nature at its most extreme. 

 

When I awoke this morning to such pandemonium, I quietly made my way upstairs to LJ's room after turning off Zazu gawking on the main menu of The Lion King that my cousins and I watched last night. I snuck into LJ's bed and just watched as I did that one summer morning. Each crack of thunder would conjure a memory, a thought, or even a piece of history. I recalled my first year of Girl's Camp, when a girl in my tent awoke to a raging thunderstorm, and I awoke to her crying. She and I both remember praying that restless night for comfort and for safety. I thought of how thunder is a type of power. Ancient Native Americans saw it as a spiritual power that controlled the salvation of anything living. Then I think of my own heritage, the Polynesians...how they were tested with survival on the seas and the things they would do to protect their families and loved ones. Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid even came to mind when he saved his dog on a burning ship during a raging tempest, followed by the awakening to a babe with perfect red hair singing to him as the sun rose on the shore. I love Disney. 

 

At this very moment, I smell something burning, and the sirens have already started. It's amazing how a storm can destroy and heal, and how it can come and go so easily. It's astonishing how such power and energy can dominate in a place for so long, then vanish and leave the rain to calm everything down. So as I gaze out my window and see the lightning fading and the rain falling, I dedicate this thunderstorm, this moment, and these memories to my brother Leland James.

The Little Things

It's the little things in everyday life that define you as you. It's when you woke up every morning at 5:30 and you're already late to go to a church seminary class to read scripture...and for the most part, you've done a pretty good job not falling asleep. And in this class, you've actually enjoyed reading the New Testament with the acception of the hundreds of cereal boxes and Disney coloring pages as a distraction on the slow and restless days. It's when you put your school uniform on to go to a Catholic school a state away. And you're not even of the Catholic faith. It's the time when you played cards with a 3 year old for two and a half hours and was tired of it two hours after you started. But you couldn't give in because the kid's feelings would have shattered if you ditched. It's the time you sat in your brother's room and read almost every signature on his wall that he's collected over the past five years. It's the time when your other brother was taking care of a million and one mission necessities, and you sat in the car reading the dictionary. and loved every minute of it. It's the time you talked about life and death with a girl in your school who is known for only judging and despising way too many people. It's when you taught your next door neighbor how to crack an egg, and she's 16 (17 in two days). It's when you question and argue with your mom about the vaccuum hose for fifteen minutes, realizing that you could have finished the kitchen floor already during that time. It's when you sit in your bed in the morning and listen to Lionel Richie over and over again. It's when you thought you were supposed to be born in the 80's and there was some kind of mistake. It's when you set your alarm to watch the sunrise. It's when you play Phase 10 for hours with your cousins and laughing takes up the time. You only got to phase 4...and you were 2, 3 even 4 phases ahead of everyone. It's when you were legitimately mad at yourself because of your awful memory. It's when you were wishful thinking, and then wished you wouldn't think like that. Be yourself. When you think about the little things, you're in for a solid time. Even when it's absolutely ridiculous or funny or even obnoxious. You've just gotta love it.