I love my puppies.

The Forgotten Carols

My family has a tradition to go and see The Forgotten Carols every Christmas season. I love how each song is about a person who had a supporting role in the Christmas story, but were overlooked, misunderstood, or unnoticed.

This song is about the Innkeeper who turned away Mary and Joseph, not because he was thoughtless he was just taking care of his business. What haunted him was the feeling that he didn’t really do all he could for the pregnant women and her husband. And this is his Carol….




I can't wait until next year when I get to see it again, but until then I will turn on the cd, close my eyes and imagine that I am watching it once more.

I love that in life we each have a Carol. I always ponder what mine would say and sound like...

Better Late than Never...

Well I decided to finally blog about my adventure in Italia this summer. I thought I would be able to keep up while I was gone...but I never had time.

Rome,Italy. Day 1

The morning I flew into Rome I was exhausted, but that didn't stop me from exploring the city. I walked and walked until I couldn't anymore. I loved every cobble stone road I walked on and was mesmerized by every building. Even though by the end of the evening I got lost (which I had to try and find someone that spoke English so they could help me), I loved every moment of it. I stayed at a hostel called Ciaobella, which was an experience in itself. I met so many people from around that world.

First sight of the country

I was in love the first moment I laid my eyes on this beautiful place.

I loved the history that I felt being surrounded by so many ancient buildings.

And then I became addicted...

While I was on my adventure around the city I came across many police officers trying to push me away. Come to find out...a couple minutes later as I was moving along, a group of thousands of people came storming down the street. What we call a Riot, they referrer to it has a Boycott.

I loved the day I spent roaming around. it was nice to not have any plans, but just to experience everything I could. The next day I needed to head to Sanremo, I bought a train ticket and took a 6 hour train ride. Well I guess I should say it was suppose to take 6 hours but it ended up being 8 hours because I got a little lost. I was hoping the ACLE staff would be still at the train station waiting for me since I was a couple of hours late. I couldnt have been more happy to see red acle shirts and hearing people speak English....Finally I was there!

Simple Mind.

The word Faith is such a simple word.

It reminds me of being an innocent child and believing. When Christmas comes around every childs is thinking about Santa. But why do so many children look forward to him coming if they have never seen him? It brings me back to the Faith a child has. Even Though they cant see him they know he is there because on christmas morning he left them presents.

This is the way I believe in Christ. Maybe I still have a mind of an innocent child because all I have is Faith in Him. His gifts are more precious then any gift that 'santa' has ever given me.

[The belief in Him]

The most important part of Christmas.

I love the holiday season and especially because it’s a time to truly focus on

Jesus Christ.

Growing up I would hear that we need to strive to be just like Christ, but really how can we...He was perfect? I feel like I have realized it doesn’t matter that we are not perfect but the journey through life to try to reach that goal. He was the greatest man that ever walked on this earth, but how he came into this world in such a humble circumstance. Even from his birth he was teaching that humility, family and love are very important. Though I have realized this I can easily forget by being sucked into the things of the world. This Christmas I want to really focus on the importance of this holiday season.

What is the Most Important Part of Christmas?

Poem by L C Taylor

What is the most important part of Christmas?
What do we celebrate each year?
Is it the change of heart we notice in people?
Is it the spreading of Christmas cheer?
Is it wishing for falling snow flakes?
Is it picking out a Christmas tree?
Is it the laughter of little children?
Or people singing merrily?
Is it the gifts wrapped so gaily?
Is it tensile, ribbons or bows?
Is it the holiday decorations?
Is it Christmas music or mistletoe?
Is it that kind old gentleman dressed up in gold and red?
Is it snowmen or jingle bells?
Many thoughts race through our head.
Christmas means different things to different people
… and that is plain to see …
but the most important part Is
C - H - R - I - S -T

Life as I know it.

Growing up I have always loved sports and still do.

I loved playing anything that had a ball and involved compitition.

(Dont blame me I got it from my parents.)

This has helped me to decide that I want to major in....
[Athletic Training]

This semester in school I am taking My first athletic trainers class. I am required to do atleast 20 hrs of observing an althletic trainer,just to make sure this is what I want to do and that i know what i am in for.

Last night at the high school, I am observing at, I sure got a glimpse of what I am going to be doing. There was so much action on and off the field. Most people would freak out with the injuries but I love being able to be hands on and to figure out whats wrong and to help out. There was a broken Tibia and fibula, where you can tell it was broken from looking at it.Bloody faces, legs, and ankles, and...oh ya cant forget 2 kids getting knocked out. It was a very busy night, but fun and exciting at the same time.

Just an example of the broken leg. It didnt happen like this but it was as broken.

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

September 11th

"Where Were You " By: Alan Jackson"

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Out in the yard with your wife and children

Working on some stage in LA

Did you stand there in shock at the site of

That black smoke rising against that blue sky

Did you shout out in anger

In fear for your neighbor

Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children

Who lost their dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride

For the red white and blue

The heroes who died just doing what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Teaching a class full of innocent children

Driving down some cold interstate

Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor

In a crowded room did you feel alone

Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her

Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Speak with some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow

Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching

And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger

Stand in line and give your own blood

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

As I was watching CNN today the New caster said everyone will remember where they were when they heard about September 11th like the generations before where they remember where they were when they heard John F. Kennedy was shot and killed. I will always remember right before I went to school that day when I was in my family room watching the plan crash into the building over and over and they replay it and also sitting in school watching the television the rest of the day. I was 12 years old and thinking that America isn't invincible anymore.

Life is so precious and we should never forget the people that died today. Maybe today is a good day to start talking to some one you are angry with or smile at the people that pass you by in the grocery store. Lets not let this be a holiday but a day of celebration for those 3,000 people that died and gave there lives to rescue the people. I couldn't image heading up into the building to find people when everyone was trying to get out.

Celebrating July 24th

I love Summer, especially when I am in Utah.

Don't get me wrong I had a blast spending my Summer in Italy, but there is nothing better than being around my family and friends. I was very happy to be back to celebrate July 24th. I love fireworks and gathering with people I love. It was so much fun to be able to catch up with everyone and their adventures for the summer.

~Fireworks~

Dinner Time...yumm!

a little taste of my adventure....

Italy is amazzzing.

I cant believe I have lived here already for over a month.

I love the food and especially the fruit...always fresh and amazzing.

I have loved the families have lived with so far.

My first family I lived with for two weeks. They were amazing people and took such good care of me. They have a little boy named Alessandro, he is 6 years old. They took me to Rome for two weekend in a row and showed me so many things. I was very sad to leave them. The next family I went to was in Fiuggi, which they had three girls that were 9, 10, and 14 yrs old. It was a lot of fun spending time with them. Every night I would go and hang out with little 14 year old years. it was pretty hilarious. But the cutest thing was when Elisa the older girl was crying when I was leaving....presh. haha

I have had the opportunity to visit so many places while I have been here.

Towns I have visited:

Sanremo, Genova, Rome, Giudonia, Fiuggi, Forlì, Rimini, Trivolgiona, San Marino, Bologna, and Tivoli.

Its been so fun to have the opportunity like this. Even though some days are hard and the kids are a pain. Its been worth it to experience the things that I have. I love Italy and would definitely come back next year. I love coming here and opening up my eyes to things that I have never seen. From the culture to everyday life. I feel like my life has changed for the better.

Some moments from my adventure.....

Tutor and Helper group from Forlì

Top left to right: Breon, Sarah, Heather, Cady, me, Andrew, Patrick

Bottom left to right: Nicole, Amy, Giulia

Heather and I in San Marino

All the girls

Sarah, Heather, Cady, and I

My cute family from Fiuggi

Heather caring a bike home after the tire blew up on are way home.

We laughed the whole way home which took about 45 walking.

My group in Fiuggi (11 and 12 yr old)

Chiara and I she was so adorable.

Fiuggi camp doing there final show about "Grease on the Titanic"

The kids wrote me a cute note and read it to the audience on how they loved me.

My "Olympic group" From Fiuggi

First camp in Giudonia

Two girls from my class

Cute Alessandro (my host brother) and Lucrezia

Dont know how to flip, but friends from orietation in Sanremo

YAY!!! World Cup

(Waka Waka eh eh!)

First site of Italy! I was very excited and tired!

Sanremo for orientation

Sanremo for Orientation

Orientation site seeing

First pizza in italy yumm...

Miracles

Everyday you hear about people surviving the most horrible tragedies and you think,

"Wow...some one is watching over them."

I never expected to be one of those people that were "lucky" to have survived.

As most know Lindsey and I were involved in a car accident where a semi-truck didn't see that traffic was at a stand still and lost control and hit the back of Lindsey's car, which caused 6

other cars to get hit.

About 30 min before the accident.

(I dont think we would be smiling if we knew what was about to happen haha jk!)

Crash Site

This was the first time we saw the car, which was the next day.

Life is so precious, just one second could change your life. I will never take anything for granted anymore. I will tell my family everyday that I love them, I wont let the little things bug me, or even making sure to thank people for being in my life.

Though I am in a lot of pain I just have to keep on telling myself that this is temporary. I am so grateful for being able to walk, talk, and even being able to function, when things could have been worse.

From the moment that this sweet couple(who were are guardian angels) came to the car to help Lindsey and I, they stayed and comforted us until we left in the ambulance, they kept on saying what a miracle it was that we didnt get completely smast in the car and how lucky we were that the car(yay for volvos) held up to a semi going freeway speeds. I feel that we were lucky and god was with us through everything we went through and that He still performs miracles everyday.