Happily Ever After.

 Every girl has that dream of that perfect guy who holds her hand, makes her laugh when she's sad, holds her tight, says I love you and is all around the perfect guy. But as far as I am concerned, that guy doesn't exist on this Earth. I know he is out there somewhere...I just don't know where. In church they always say that they man you're going to mary, you have already seen him. Whether you walked past him at Disneyland, smiled to him at the par, sat next to him in school...you've seen him! It just amazes me that I could have already seen my future husband and it kills me no being able to know who he is.

Is my husband tall or short? Blonde or brunette? Good at math (i hope) or bad? Extremely cute or average? I want to know so bad! I'm at that point in my life where I can't wait to be 16. To be able to drive, go on dates, to dances, maybe have a boyfriend excites me! I just can't wait. I still have 11 months 'till I can do any of these things!

A lot of my friends have so many guy friends that they hang out with and talk to with no problem. I have a lot of guy friends...I just never hang out with them! I'm afraid that my parents won't let me. Like when I am home alone, bored, on a saturday afternoon and my friend asks me if I can hang out. I really would like to, but I don't know if I can! I think that my parents would be okay with it...but you never know.

Elder DIETER F. UCHTDORF gave a talk to the Young Women last year and it is by far my favorite one. He says:

"My dear young sisters all around the world, I am grateful and honored to be with you today. President Thomas S. Monson and all the leaders of the Church love you; we pray for you, and we rejoice in your faithfulness.

Over the years I have been exposed to many beautiful languages—each of them is fascinating and remarkable; each has its particular charm. But as different as these languages can be, they often have things in common. For example, in most languages there exists a phrase as magical and full of promise as perhaps any in the world. That phrase is “Once upon a time.”

Aren’t those wonderful words to begin a story? “Once upon a time” promises something: a story of adventure and romance, a story of princesses and princes. It may include tales of courage, hope, and everlasting love. In many of these stories, nice overcomes mean and good overcomes evil. But perhaps most of all, I love it when we turn to the last page and our eyes reach the final lines and we see the enchanting words “And they lived happily ever after.”

Isn’t that what we all desire: to be the heroes and heroines of our own stories; to triumph over adversity; to experience life in all its beauty; and, in the end, to live happily ever after?

Today I want to draw your attention to something very significant, very extraordinary. On the first page of your Young Women Personal Progressbook, you will find these words: “You are a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to the earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose.” ¹

Sisters, those words are true! They are not made up in a fairy tale! Isn’t it remarkable to know that our eternal Heavenly Father knows you, hears you, watches over you, and loves you with an infinite love? In fact, His love for you is so great that He has granted you this earthly life as a precious gift of “once upon a time,” complete with your own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage, and love. And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own “happily ever after.”

I really hope that I will find my knight in shining armor who loves me for me, is strong in the church and uses his priesthood powers. I know that I may go through many boy troubles, broken hearts and drama but it will be all worth it to get my Happily Ever After.

Someday my prince will come...and our picture will be a part of this :)

When you think you know someone.

 Once upon a time there was a little girl who had a best friend. These girls did everything together; they shopped, watched movies, played hide and go seek, had play dates, had tea parties, and had sleep overs. Everyone knew that they were so close and could never be separated. No one ever thought that anything could split them apart...no boy with cooties or even a brand new pair of shoes. In fact, they were such good friends that they forgot about their other friends and began losing them too. None of their old friends were very happy about this and never invited them to play dates again. But one day, the one little girl stopped talking to the other one. Of course the little girl felt left out and said, left wondering what she could've done wrong. She let it sit for a while to see if her "best friend" was just in a bad mood. This wasn't the case though. 

 This little girl had no clue what to do, she tried to hide the pain from all around her. What was she suppose to do at school now? Her other friends did not talk to her that much any more. All this little girl wanted to do was roll up in a ball and cry. She decided not to do that though, instead she took the risk and talked to her other friends. She realized how much she missed playing tag and having tea parties with them. They all became great friends again, and the little girl forgot about her old best friend. Every now and again, an old memory of her comes back into her mind and the pain comes back. But just for a little bit, but every time they see each other on the playground; the little girl can't help but wonder what wrong. What did she do? Did she say something mean?  

  It's been about a month now since she had a play date with her best friend. But this little girl is now stronger than ever. It seems that this was a lesson learned; you can't just be with one person and ignore the rest of the world around you. She learned to be open and can have more than one best friend. Now she has many best friends, and her old best friend only has one; and her new best friend is not the other little girl. They are both happy now, and occasionally talk to one another. The little girl still doesn't know what happened between them, and she hopes that someday she might be able to understand. After all, it's never fun losing someone over nothing or something dumb.

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." I hope that everyone   will just be a friend to everyone they meet and never be mean. I know this little girl from the story above and know how much pain she went through. It is never fun to be suddenly ignored by someone you called "your best friend". So please just be a friend to every one. It will make life a whole lot easier.

 If being mean ad ignoring others is your way to build yourself up; just remember that you are breaking someone down in the process. Don't make others feel bad to make yourself feel better.

"Be the friend that you would like to have." 

"Riding in, stealing Cinderella"

I am going to take a second here and just say how much I love country music! Make fun of me, and laugh, but I do not care!!! I don't like the really old country, like "hillbilly". Country as in; Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Rascall Flatts, and Chuck Wicks.

Right now, my favorite country song is Stealing Cinderella by Chuck Wicks. It is such a cute and beautiful song. I love every word of it.

It is crazy to look back and remember times like running through the sprinklers, and riding my first bike. I can't wait until the day that I get married, but I am going to miss these times. I know my dad will be thinking the same thing, that fellow would be "riding in, stealing Cinderella."

Happy Birthday C.J.! (YEARBOOK Deadline 4: August 14)

This is C.J.

This is my little brother C.J. (a.k.a. Joseph Cannon Holbrook III).  C.J. stands for Cannon Junior.
 Today is C.J.'s 10th birthday! He got an electric guitar from mom and dad...he's been playing on it ALL day! He will be great at it as soon as he learns how to play! (:

Here is a little bit about C.J.:

He loves to swim, especially breast stroke!

C.J. loves playing football with his little brother Jackson.

When we were younger, we loved fuzzy pajama's!

From left to right : C.J., Jackson, Me, and Morgan having fun with the birthday boy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CJ! We love you so much (especially me!!!) and our glad to have you in our family. You bring fun, hilarious good memories into everyone's life. I don't know what I'd do with out you! Thanks for being a great little brother. Love you!

I Know That My Redeemer Lives! (Yearbooke Deadline #3)

This past week I was given the chance to go to Girl's Camp up at Camp Mia Shalom. While I was up there, I could feel the spirit and feel my testimony growing. One thing that really struck me, was when people talked about Christ. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, goosebumps all over my body! I knew for a fact  that my Savior lives and loves me. 

At Girl's Camp a few years ago, my YCL's gave me a letter from Christ. It goes like this:

"Dear Friend,

          I just had to send you a note to tell you how much I love you and care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were walking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me, also. It hurt me that you didn't talk to me, but I still love you because I am your friend. I saw you fall asleep last night, and I longed to touch your brow. So I spilled moonlight on your pillow and your face. Again I waited, wanting to rush down so that we could talk. I have so many gifts for you, but you awakened late the next day and rushed off to school. My tears were in the rain.

           Today I noticed you looked sad, and upset. It makes my heart ache because I understand. My friends let me down and hurt me so many times too. But, I love you. Oh, if only you would listen to me. I really love you. I try to tell you in the blue sky and in the green grass. I whisper in the leaves on the trees, and breathe it in the color of the flowers. I shout it to you in the mountain streams and give the birds love songs to sing, clothe you in warm sunshine and perfume the air with natures scents. My love for you is deeper than the oceans and bigger than the biggest  want or need in your heart.

           If you only knew how much I want to help you. I want you to meet my Father. He wants to help you, too. My Father is that way, you know. Just call me, ask me, talk with me. Please, please don't forget me. I have so much to share with you.But, I won't hassle you any further. You are free to call me. It's up to you. I'll wait because I love you.

Your brother,

            Jesus "

This letter means so much to me. I turn to it in my times of trial. I know that my Heavenly Father and His Son are here for me always, and love me. I just have to remember to talk to them and listen. They are my friends, my family. Jesus Christ did gave us the greatest gift anyone could give. He died for all our sins so we may live with Him again. He loves us and misses us. It brings tears to His eyes when we go astray and forget to talk to Him. I love him with all my heart, and I know that He lives!

Deadline 2: June 19

Summer has been AMAZING these first few weeks! I spent 2 weeks in a row with my long time best friend and cousin, Brittany Bott.

Brittany is 14 and just plain awesome. I love her so much! She is hilarious, smart, pretty, and always fun to be around. Brittany and I had the chance to go to EFY this summer. While we were there in the dorms together, we not only grew closer to our Heavenly Father, but closer to each other.

Britt and I have always been very close but being together 2 weeks straight and rooming together brought us even closer. I don't know what I would have done if i wasn't going to EFY with her. We know EVERYTHING about each other and aren't embarrassed to do anything in front of each other. That's what best friends are, right?

First day of EFY in front of our room. 

Believe.Hope.Endure.

This was the theme this year, based off of the 13th Article of Faith. This was such a great theme, especially for Brittany. She is moving this summer so these 3 simple words really meant a lot to her. While at EFY I could tell that Britt was changing in a way...her testimony was growing. She was happier and always made everyone laugh. I don't think there was one person in our Company that did not like her. What's not to like?!

We decided that we were going to go to EFY every year together and I can not wait until next summer. Hopfully we see some of our really good friends from STE (Smite The Earth) next year!

From left to right: Heidi Curtis, Taylor Holbrook, Brittany Bott, Samantha Norberg, Kennidy Hassel

These girls in the picture above are all so funny and sweet. We all became best friends 2 weeks ago at EFY. Time went by so fast! We were all sad to have to say goodbye, especially since all of them but Brittany and I lived in Arizona. I miss these girls so much and couldn't ask for any better friends. Thanks for being your great, crazy selves. I love you!

Best Company Ever! SMITE THE EARTH

Brittany Michelle Bott, this post is for you. I love you so much, don't ever change. Get ready for EFY next year!

From left to right: Taylor Holbrook and Brittany Michelle Bott

Deadline One--May 29 "About Me"

Mayson Astle, our Yearbook Editor for next year, has given the yearbook staff deadlines and such for our blogs during the summer. Deadline number one is this Sunday, but since I won't be home I decided to do it right now.

This first deadline is suppose to be about me so that the yearbook staff can get to know me better. Some things you may not know about me are:

1. I lived in France and was baptized there!

2. My favorite color is blue.

3. I am the oldest of 4 children.

4. My favorite subject in school is English.

5. I HATE math.

6. I love to write stories, essays (eh, depends on what it is), write in my journal, and blog!

7. I enjoy taking pictures of other people, animals, and nature.

8. Photo shoots are one of my favorite things to do with friends(:

9. I moved to Utah at the beginning of the school year from California.

10. I am a swimmer! I was on the Timpview team and I am doing UVRay Club team now.

This is an old picture of me when I had long hair!

This is the most recent picture of my family and I. Left to right: Me, Kristen(Mom), CJ, Morgan, Cannon(Dad), and Jackson.

Photo shoot, I took this picture! Left to right: Carson Rahlf and Taylor  Holbrook (Me)

 

Paige Brimhall shows off her muscles at the State Swim Meet.

I hope that this helped you get to know me better and see my "picture taking skills". This blog has given me a great opportunity to express myself, show my writing, and show my pictures! It is a great experience and I am glad that this is our Summer Yearbook Assignment! Until next time(:

Days Go By

Yes it is 11:36 pm on a school night. And yes I am very (well kind of) tired. But I haven't blogged in a while and I feel like I should real quick. Today it hit me a bit that I have 1 1/2 more days left of being a Freshman!!! It's crazy how fast this year has gone by. Even though it was hard and stressful a lot of the time, it is worth it in the end. The days go by in the school year 10 times slower than the day actually is. Just staring at that clock thinking that it is off and the minute lasting 3 minutes. Trying to cram in studying, homework,and projects all in a day. School is a major part in our lives and we should be grateful to have such amazing education and educaters. There are so many children, and even adults, in the world that can't even read and write! So we should be glad we can.

First year of highschool [CHECK]
Ready for the dreaded sophomore year [Not one bit!!]
summer please hurry you are dearly missed! [Not here yet]

The days go by and soon enough they're gone.

Sevie-Elevie and J. Richins

So Carson and I are taking Digital Photo with Ms. Wood this semester, and we have to do this Andy Goldsworthy project. Andy Goldsworthy is a sculptor, and what he does is make really cool things out of nature and watches how nature takes it back. Carson and I found our place and made this really cool design to see how nature "reclaims itself" using different kinds of flowers and dandelions.

At first, we thought this project was going to be really lame. But it's actually been a fun, or funny, experience. For example: today around 4 we went to go check on it and get pictures...but we found a surprise! There were some people mowing the field our project was at! we couldn't go and take pictures while they were working so we went around 7:30ish. This time we found this:

There were some flower and leaf remnants left. And some of the dandelions! "You can't break what was made with love!" After we saw our sad left overs, we walked by some sheep! Carson and I made new friends(: Mine is named J. Richins, but hers doesn't have a name yet. For right now its 711, or Sevie-Elevie, or Steve. Carson hasn't decided for sure yet though.

These are all our 4 new friends. J. Richins and Sevie-Elevie are the two biggest ones in the front. They are such stud muffins. They like coming up to the fence and try licking us and like us petting them...they are the greatest! Here's to you J. Richins and Sevie-Elevie! :D

Totally "Toobular"

The other day I was in the car with my mom and sister when we some how got on the subject of "slang words". I asked her what were some of the things they use to say when she was in high school, she had to of course mention that these were in the "hippy" days. (; They apparently said things like, "Gag me with a spoon!" or "TOTALLY TOOBULAR MAN!". And even some of the slang we still use today (well some of us anyways) like "Peace out." or "You totally rock!". We probably don't use these words as much as they did when my mom was in high school but it is still really interesting and funny to see how times have changed. People change, words change, the world changes. Who knows maybe once I am out of high school, the things my generation says now, will be really weird and funny! We'll just have to see.

~Peace Out. (;

(FYI...I usually never, ever, say that.)

Best Friends (:

It has been a few days since I have been able to post anything because the blogger website was down. :( This past Wednesday I was going to post about best friends. I will be doing that now...FINALLY!

 Okay so there are so many things that you can have in a best friend, and I know that I have the best best friend in the entire world! You know who you are.(: I have made a list that I love about my best friend and I.

1. You can talk to each other about everything.

2. You can be yourself around them.

3. There are no secrets between you.

4. Nothing is ever completely awkward for you.

5. You can wear no make-up around them and be fine.

6.  You can be at their house all day and night, and the parents ask you to spend the night (;

7. Order Domino's ham, thin crust pizza.

8. You can talk about things without it ruining the friendship.

9. When your bored, you can almost always find something to entertain you.

10. You text each other right after you leave each others' houses.

11. You can be yourself with their family.

12. You wear each others clothes.

13. When you don't hang out, your parents think something might be wrong...when really we're just busy and can't.

14. You can be scared about really stupid things together.

15. There isn't one conversation when you don't end up laughing.

Wednesday night after mutual, I had the greatest phone call with my best friend. It went longer than we expected...from almost 9 p.m. to a little past 10. We had the best conversation and I am so glad that we can  talk about, literally anything, with out any problem, even if she is just down the street. I love having my best friend being so close so that we can hang out so much and for a long time with out there being any "traveling" problems. It is the most awesome thing ever!

I love my best friend so much! I can honestly say, you are the truest best friend I have ever had. I know I can trust you with anything, and I don't know what I would do without you. I hope we stay BFF's through High School, college, and hopefully even longer! I hope we stay besties, even through all the obstacles we might have to go through. I was looking up some fun Best Friend songs and I found this one...it's funny and cutie. (:

"A friend is someone you can be alone with and have nothing to do and not be able to think of anything to say and be comfortable in the silence." -Sheryl Condie

Friends ask why your crying....best friends already have the shovel ready to bury the loser that made you cry. (:

I LOVE YOU BEST FRIEND. <3

I will try to fix you

My favorite band in the entire world is Coldplay. They are just plain great. They're like Taylor Swift in a way...they have a song for just about any mood you're in. One of my current favorite songs by them is Fix You in the X & Y album.  This album is probably one of my favorites.

I love music.  Well listening to it....I'm not big on playing the piano and such things. I love how there are songs for everything. I like being able to be in a certain mood and just being able to find a song that fits my situation. I like all genres of music, except some rap. 

 

When you try your best but you don't succeed

When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I

Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

If you don't know much of Coldplay's songs, you should get some of them. They are all great (:
Music is such a great way to express yourself. I try writing songs but it doesn't always turn out that well. You have to truly be an artist and dedicated, to do it. I love being able to just turn on my iPod and go through all my songs and being able to find a song that i can sing along to, knowing all of the words...and attempting to hit those notes. Even though I am not the best singer, I still enjoy it. 

~I promise you, I will learn from my mistakes...I will try to Fix You <3

How "Inside the World of a Mermaid" Came to Be:

It all started yesterday, May 7, 2011. I was out all morning/afternoon working at our Stake Service Project, then I came home, showered, and had nothing to do. I was thinking about being in Timpview's 2011-2012 Yearbook Staff next, I was getting myself even more excited than before. I recalled being told that we might have to do a blog so that our editor's can get a feel of what we will be like as workers. I decided I should start my blog now and get use to it! I have heard about so many people's fun and amazing blog's and I was excited to see what I could possibly bring to the table of the "Blogging World".

As you probably know, I am a swimmer. I swim all the time, almsot every day of the week. My best friend, Carson Rahlf, one day (a while ago) she started calling me a mermaid. Actually, it was around Valentine's Day and she said she was going to get me "MERMAID" stickers! While I was sitting at the computer, trying to figure out what my blog should be named, this came to mind. I thought, "The title should be something having to do with mermaids!". That's when it all started piecing together. INSIDE THE WORLD OF A MERMAID.

So, I guess you could say that Carson gets some credit in the naming of my blog. :) I love you Carson. Thanks for being my "First Follower"...it means a lot. ;) Hahahaha.

One more thing, this blogging thing is so addicting! I like it (:

Happy Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day. I love my mom so much and I am very grateful for all that she does for me and my family. My mom has to deal with 4 kids in school; making lunches, taking and picking up from school, helping with homework....She also has to make dinner, clean, and put the little ones to bed. It has to be very tiring and I am so grateful for her for everything she does to make my life better.

I think being a mother can be the best job in the entire world but also one of the hardest. You have to deal with winy little kids who don't listen. AND they have to deal with us crabby teenagers...never wanting to do what they tell us because we think we're "all that". I give props to all the moms!

 There are so many wonderful quotes I have heard about mother's, but here are two that are my favorites:

" My dear sisters, do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle."

You never know what a girl is worth,

You’ll have to wait and see;

But every woman in a noble place,

A girl once used to be.

       -President Thomas S. Monson

"Young women, your mothers adore you. They see in you the promise of future generations. Everything you accomplish, every challenge you overcome brings them pure joy. And likewise..."

       - M. Russel Ballard

I really like the quote above by M. Russel Ballard. It reminds me that everything I do, all I say, all my actions, my mom will know about them. She will be proud of me when I get a 4.0, or when I get my YW recognition hood medalion (hopefully soon). I need to try my hardest in all that I do for I represent my mom, my family in all that I do. 

Mom, I love you so much! Thanks for everything! And thank you to both my grandma's and all my aunts. I love you all so much!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! <3

I've been sucked in.

Okay everyone! So this is my very first blog. Yes, i got sucked in to doing it. I thought I should give it a try and see how I like it, so far I do like it! Sorry if this isn't a very professional blog...it will get there in time.
Well, let me tell you a little bit about me. I love to swim but I am currently not swimming because I have a bad neck/back/shoulder thing going on and I am doing physical therapy. I love dogs and my friends (: They're the absolute best. I have moved about 7 times, and I refuse to move again during high school. I hope this blog will help me be able to become a better writer and photographer. I am going to be in yearbook next year and we might have to do a blog during the summer, so I thought why not start now and get use to it? I am very excited for it! It should be a good time. I think that is all for right  now....I am going to mess around some more and try to figure this whole blogging thing out.