30 Things Challenge: Week 4

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year old self, if you could.

This is kinda fun, as I was 16 exactly 10 years ago. While I am only a small portion through my life (hopefully) I guess I do have some wisdom to impart on my teenage self.

1. You. Are. NOT. Fat. Seriously! Get that through your thick skull! Dress in a way that flatters your body type and you feel so much better about yourself.

2. You are capable, and smart, and valuable, and will accomplish more than you thought you were capable of someday.

3.  Tell your friends, family and parents how much you love them and how important they are to you. In 10 years from now you will reflect on all they were to you at this time and hope that they know how appreciated they were.

4. Dye your hair blue if you want to. Eventually you'll feel like you're too old to rock cookie monster hair.

5. Stop saying "that's gay" and "that's retarded." Eventually you'll realize that those are not nice or acceptable expressions, and those habits are hard to break!

6. Don't worry about not being kissed yet! When you finally do get your first kiss it will be from the only person you ever kiss or want to kiss. It was worth the wait. :)

7. Your next boyfriend...maybe just don't. Haha. Trust me. He doesn't like girls.

8. Really appreciate being a woman. Do so by standing up for other women. Don't constantly bash female celebrities (difficult, I know) but look for women who are role models who have integrity, intelligence, and are taking steps towards making progress for women. Yeah, you become a feminist.

9. Go sing for Grandpa while he's in the hospital. You'll feel silly at the time but if you don't you'll regret it later (believe me, I know).

10. Keep writing! You're in the hay-day of your blogging and journaling and you'll wish you were still as diligent as you are now later in life. Its fun, embarrassing and weird looking back on things you felt and wrote, but its also a great way to document your life.

PS - Quit saying you're dumb. So many times you say "this is dumb" or "but I'm just dumb" in posts and things but you're not. And its annoying to hear you keep saying that.

30 Things Challenge: Week 3

3. Describe your relationship with your parents.

Ooh, this one is hard and easy at the same time! Its easy because I have a great relationship with my parents, but its difficult because there is so much I could say that its hard to put it into words to really do it justice.

As I was reflecting on this, I remembered a write up I did for a book for Mom and Dad that my siblings and I made them for their anniversary. It really says it all the best, so I will re-post what I wrote then - its still all 100% true today! Here goes:

Most people are embarrassed by their parents. Maybe it’s what they wear; maybe it’s the things they say. But I have never been embarrassed to have Mom and Dad as my parents. Not even as a teenager! I’ve always been proud that they are mine.

Mom and Dad have also had a huge impact on me with their example of faith and service to God. I remember coming downstairs in the morning and Mom would be eating breakfast at the table reading her Bible. That simple act of dedication and discipline really had an effect on me. I also remember being a teenager and talking to Mom about some huge decision that affected her and Mom’s attitude at the end of it was “God knows and He’ll do what’s right and in His will.”  I specifically remember thinking how much God must be in every part of Mom’s life, and how I hoped for myself to one day be like that, too.  Both Mom and Dad have also always been an amazing example in their dedication to the church, one that continues to impress and inspire me.

Mom and Dad are also the best when it comes to their commitment to their family – to each other, to their children, to their parents and in-laws, to their church family.  So much time, effort, and tears are put into their family and everyone in those circles feels their love and support.

Mom is my biggest role model and the person that I aspire to be in so many ways. I feel like I am at this beautiful age where I have so much I can learn from her. She is the best example to be of a loving, faithful wife; of a supportive, patient mother. She exemplifies the kind of daughter and daughter in law that I want to be – one that loves selflessly and gives endlessly.  If I am even half the parent she is I will have done a good job! Mom has always given me room to be myself and pursue my own interests, one of the greatest gifts of all.

While I am a lot like Mom, Dad has given me some of his qualities too. Dad loves to make connections with people – Dad had many hearts poured out to him on a bench in the Shopper’s Mall while waiting for the ladies to finish shopping. Dad also is always at the ready with a funny anecdote or story from his past…most of which we’ve heard already but love to hear told over and over again (always told with tears streaming down his face, of course! Even before the funny parts!). I think my Daddy also exists simply to give me joy. He is good-natured and everyone’s friend.

Some people are embarrassed by their parents, but not me. Mine are truly the best, and I’m so thankful for the family that God gave me. Everything I am today is a direct result of who they are. I hope I make them proud.