Shout Out....

This is Shandee.  AKA Shand.  AKA Shandu.  AKA Shaunaaaay.  AKA my sister.  AKA my best friend.

Shandee is eleven years older than me, and my only true blood sister (I say that because I have lots of sisters of the not blood, or in-law kind).  Shandee and I are as different as you can imagine, and yet we still find little moments when we realize how very alike we actually are.  I have loved that now that I am older, we can relate on a lot more levels and we love talking.  She and my mom are usually the first people I go to when I am in some sort of dilemma.  Guys, she really is just fantastic.  Let me tell you a few reasons why:
Shandee is a wife.  And mommy.  She is a good at both of those.  One of my favorite things about watching Shand be a mommy is how much she plays with her babes.  A lot of times you see mommies just being mommies and ya know, taking are of the kids and teaching them what is okay and what isnt' and yeah of course Shandee does an amazing job at that.  Obviously.  But she is so good at really playing with her kids.  She is a "cool" mom.
She is funny!!!!  We have the exact same laugh and when we get goin' together, there is no stopping us.    She is goofy and brings out the goofy in me and I love it.  She keeps our family laughing with her silly voices and funny dances.
Shandee is a constant friend.  For example, when Shandee was in high school she was a part of the peer tutoring program and became best friends with one of the sweetest angel girls you could ever meet.  To this day, Jenny calls Shandee several times a day because she knows Shandee will always be a resource and friend for her.  Shandee still schedules special time to be with Jenny.  Jenny knows each of Shandees kids by name, and frequently has all of our family go to her family's house to play.  Shand loves Jenny and anyone else for that matter in the most Christ-like ways.  She fulfills her callings, she serves, she is everyone's best friend in her ward, and everyone just loves her.  No one could ever speak unkind words about Shand.  She is just too great!
Now. Speaking of Christ-like.  Shandee has one of the most tender hearts in the world.  There have been several times that I have gone to her with some trouble or concern or heartache and while I cry to her, she cries too.  I've seen her do that with others too.  To me, that is an extremely unique and special gift.  She truly mourns with those who mourn.  She is extremely empathic - a quality I personally work hard to attain.  For her it is the most natural thing in the world.  She loves deeply, openly, and actively.
I so admire my older sister.  I truly feel that so much of who I am goes back to who I watched my sister be.  She was the perfect example to me.  I don't know if I've ever told her this properly, but I loved hoping and thinking that I was maybe becoming like her - music she listened to, clothes she wore, make-up she put on, but mostly the testimony that she lived by.  So many times when I was little, I would walk past my sister's room (later to climb in bed with her because I got scared) and she would be reading her scriptures or kneeling at her bed in prayer.  I honestly don't remember a ton of things from when I was little, but some of my most vivid memories are of my sister - just little things like her cleaning her room while listening to Shania Twain, being so proud of my big sis when she was up dancing on the stage, and us practicing our little "sister, sister" secret handshake.  These are the images I think of when I think of my Shandee.  She is incredible.  Incredible, I tell you!
So just so you know, Shandee Lynn, you are my big sister.  FOREVER!  I couldn't be more blessed.
I sure love you!

Shout Out...

"Sometimes in life there really are bonds formed that can never be broken. Sometimes you really can find that one person who will stand by you no matter what. Maybe you'll find it in a spouse and celebrate it with your dream wedding, but theres also the chance that the one person you can count on for a lifetime, the one person who knows you sometimes better than you know yourself is the same person who's been standing beside you all along."  

^ This is my Cami.  Oh, my Cami.  Tears come to my little eyes and my heart swells just thinkin' about this sweet angel.  The story of mine and Cami's friendship is one of my favorites.  We met in heaven.  AKA:  Savior of the World.  Probably real heaven too - the pre mortal kind. We were just wee little ones.  Crazy little girls sliding on the rolly chairs in the dressing room wearing only our unders, playing pollies back stage, and really just running around causing all kind of havoc.  The rules that the production team have for little kids now-a-days were put in place because of Cam and me (so proud of the legacy we left there) :D Needless to say, we quickly became what we call "bosom friends."  Then I got some of the happiest news I have ever heard - she was moving from North Salt Lake to Centerville!!  I don't know why her parents were inspired to come to C-ville, except it was probably for mine and Cami's sake.  hehe okay maybe other reasons too.  Anyway, because we were so little, we didn't think to get each other's phone numbers so when I knew she had moved, I walked around Smoot Park looking for her, and she sat in front of her new house on main street, waiting just in case my car drove by.  Well, we finally found each other have never lost each other again. 
I often think about how our friendship was kindled in such a spiritual, close-to-God setting.  I think that is one reason why this bond between she and I is so unbreakable.  Our hearts grew being in Savior of the World, so we share some of the same molds that shape our hearts today.  Let me tell you just a few reasons why I love this girl so dang much.  
Cami has never ceased to be able to make me laugh.  Ooooh she makes me laugh!  Even at times when I think all that I need is a serious heart to heart cry session, she tricks me and makes me laugh to bring me back to earth a bit.  What a gift that is of hers - one that she constantly shares with the world.  
So Cami has a hard time keeping a cell phone.  She has a hard time answering her cell phone.  However, it's funny because while it used to frustrate me, we now just have a sort of...understanding.  I know she'll call me back even if it is four days later, and we will have the most enriching conversations.  She is loyal.  Unbelievable loyal.
Cami is in the world, but not of it.  I make it an effort to follow this girl's example and be sensitive to the unclean/unhappy things of the world.  We all need to be sensitive to the things we expose ourselves to and while so many allow themselves to become desensitized to muckity muck surrounding all of us, Cami does not.  She has such a tender heart.  One that is offended by the same things I imagine the Spirit is offended by.  Woman of virtue.  
Last but not least, Cami's zeal for life, and adventure, and discovery inspire me.  Simply inspire me. The enthusiasm she speaks with, the excitement yet vulnerability in her outstretched arms as she opens them to give the sky an embrace, the testimony she bares, and the love that she gives are all manifestations that God lives.  She witnesses of Him through her life.  She is a disciple of Christ.  She is a delight to all who know her. She lifts and buoys me up.  She makes me want to be better.  She is a friend of the truest kind, and I could never fully express my gratitude for her.  
Well, there is a little bit of Cami for ya.  Unfortunately, I still haven't purchased more space on my blog for pictures, so words will just have to do for now.  
Cami, I love you forever, my bosom friend! 

Shout Out...

...To Brenna...

Brenna.  Bren.  Brenzie.  B-ren.

This is Brenna McFarland.  And I love her a lot.  She's pretty awesome.  Brenna and I have been friends since we were little tiny.  I can't even remember the first time I met her, it was that far back.   Growing up, one minute we would be in a fight, then five minutes later we would be sticking fresh peas from the garden and a note of apology under the other's bedroom door.  Back to playing right after!  Bren and I are pretty dang different.  Opinions, sense of humors, sometimes priorities etc...but still...we seem to get each other pretty well.  We know each other's buttons and we know the lines not to cross.  Don't you dare cross any of those lines while she and I are together because the other will be right on your tail about it  - sticking up for the one attacked.  I love Bren because she unfailingly makes me laugh.  She's hilarious!  And we are hilarious together!  Playin' off of each other's jokes and all.  Brenna loves and let's love.  She has a way of making heavy things much lighter (without discrediting its actual hardness).  It just makes some of the hard things in life much more bearable.  She is honest and real, but kind and thoughtful.  She is ALWAYS herself - never two faced. The little things matter to her, and she helps others to realize their importance as well.  She is, in my opinion, very intelligent and logical, but has a heart of gold as well.   Bren is such an example to me of obedience.  She is obedient because she loves the Savior and does whatever He asks and expects.  I was lucky enough to live with Brenna for two years and not once did I see her skip her scripture reading/journal writing/prayer saying routine at night.  Not once did I see her refuse to do a calling, or do her visiting teaching.  It will be weird to not live with this girl anymore.  I am going to miss it like crazy!  I love it when Brenna laughs and I love it when Brenna sings.  I love that she loves Taylor Swift and finds joy in her music.  Heck, I just plain LOVE my Bren!  I love that she and I will be friends forever and I cherish the memories we have already made and the ones we have yet to make!

...To Becca...

Rebecca.  Becs.  Becca.

This is Rebecca Anne Cowan.  I love her a lot as well.  Obviously.  Becca and I have been friends since 7th grade.  However, we didn't get along for the first while that we knew each other because one time at one of my very first dances, she came up to me in the middle of dancing with a really cute boy and she told me I was doing it wrong.  It's okay...I made up for that a while later when I tackled her to the cement in 9th grade.  Now its just a whole bunch of lovin'!  Becca.  Becca.  Becca.  She is an angel.  She is a feisty, firecracker of an angel and it makes me love her that much more.  What a hoot!  Becca is the kind of girl who is selfless no matter what.  Asking her to do a favor doesn't happen because there is no need to ask.  She is already doing it, or offering to do some kind deed.  She notices and appreciates, more than a lot of people I know, the little things like the color and detail of a complete stranger's eyes, or someone's bracelet or ring.  She sees.  And what's better - she shares.  She shares the good things in life and helps me and so many others around her, to love life even when we don't feel like loving it quite so much.  She never ceases to be able to talk some sense into me with all of the wisdom that is bundled up in that little lady.  She is one of the most empathetic persons I have ever met.  She celebrates my joys with me, and is sometimes even more excited than I am.  She also, hurts when others hurt.  She does everything in her power to help and let me tell you, she.  Is.  A.  Powerful.  Help.  I honestly can't explain just how much I love my Becs.  I don't know where I would be, or what I would do without her.  She pulls me and lifts me.  She looks out for and defends me.  I trust her with my deepest darkest secrets, my crazy jokes, and with my life.  She is an eternal friend and incredible example to me.  This world is so much better because of Rebecca Anne Cowan.  I am truly blessed. :)

Shout Out....

To my roomie, Whitney Anne Jensen.  

I met Whitney last year as a Freshman/scared-of-college little girl, and she took me right in under her wing.  She is a couple years older than me, so she was and still is a big help as I try to figure out this college thing.  See, Whitty and I don't always see eye to eye.  In fact, we butt heads sometimes.  But out of all of my roommates, I would say she and I have the most sisterly relationship.  I think it's pretty cool.   Whether I need talk something out, or feel sick and just need someone to cuddle with (that really happened.  I just cuddled with her while she read her book in bed), I know I could go to her for anything.  She takes care of all of us, actually.  Whitney has one of the strongest testimonies of faith that I have ever heard/seen.  She has had a rough go at some things in the past little while, but all throughout it, I have seen her call friends for Priesthood blessings, consistently attend the temple, write her impressions down in her journal, and move forward with a positive and trusting attitude.  She understands what it means to be grateful for trials that build us, and I think we can all be reminded of the necessity to completely depend on Christ - she is a fantastic teacher of this to me.  

Whitney is an unbelievably passionate person.  She loves with everything.  She has a giant and unguarded heart.  I so admire that about her.  

I love my Whitney, and I don't know what I would have done with out her coming into this new stage of life.  She sure made the transition a lot easier, and continues to amaze me everyday!  What will I do when I am in Logan?! 

Whitney.  Whit.  Whitty.  Whitikers (ssshhhh she doesn't like that one). "Creepy Ginger"

Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything, Whit.  I love you!!!
P.S. Hottie alert!!!

Shout Out....

To my dear Katie Bastian.

This lady.

Isn't she lovely?!

I may or may not have stolen these pictures from her facebook profile pictures. :)
Isn't she gorgeous?!  Oh my goodness. 

Katie plays Mary in Savior of the World.  She plays the part so well,
showing her own soul and testimony throughout.

Me, Mer, and Katie at Tuchano's

As you all may have noticed, I like to do little shout outs to some of the people who are truly inspiring me at the time.  I met Katie in Savior of the World and she is in the Mo-tab with my dad. I introduced myself to her one day at rehearsal, and we have been kindred spirits ever since!  Katie and I have both expressed how amazed we are at how fast we became such good friends.  She and I are sooooo a like, it's weird.  We feel like we have been friends for a lifetime.  Probably even before.  :)
 Katie is one of the most passionate people I have ever known.  She feels so freely, and expresses those feelings in the most eloquent way.  She is a wordsmith.  It is one of her many gifts.  I read her blog, and want to publish it so the world can be inspired by her as well!  The world would learn a lot from this girl.  I am constantly amazed at her sincere desire to improve - improve the world and improve herself and improve the lives of dear ones around her.
Saying that someone just knows what to say to make you feel better is so cliche, but Katie is truly so intuitive.  Her empathetic heart moves her to say things and do things and serve others in ways that are life-changing.  There have been several times that her words and actions have brought me to tears by the way they touched my heart.  To me she emulates exactly what it means to be a spiritualy-intuned daughter of God.  I want to be like her when I grow up.
I can honestly say that my life has been forever changed because of my angel Katie.  I am humbled that I am blessed and privileged enough to know her.
Everyone needs a Katie.

Shout Out....

....To a couple people who inspire me.  

This is Kaycee Hatch

Kayc. Kaycidilla.  My little friend.  Kaycaaaaay!

Just some random night....

Graduation of course.  Side note, that night after I took Kayc home from our all night party, we just stood in an embrace, bawling on her driveway.  Yeah, we love each other.

After Trek.  Again, bawling. 

Kaycee's Island in Lake Powell

Kaycee has been one of my dearest friends since about 3rd grade.  

It wasn't always that way, though.  Apparently I made her cry quite frequently in Kindergarden, and she would boss me around and make me do little things like tie her shoes.  We figured it out though.  I have truly been blessed to be so close to her.  We have a bajillion inside jokes that never cease to make us laugh, and memories that we will cherish for eternity!  Even though we have usually had our different groups of friends, and have had very different interests, we have always been able to come back to being the loyalest of friends. 

 Kaycee inspires me because she is so brave.  We have seen each other through some super awesome times, but have also seen each other through the hardest, most broken times of our lives as well.   In those times, Kaycee never stopped pushing me to move forward.  Of course, she would let me cry and listen to my sad songs, but whether she knew it or not, she has always encouraged me to buck up, accept the pain, and look at all of the good things around me.  Kaycee is not one to dwell on hurtful things.  She is one of the greatest examples of a person who looks to the future, no matter how daunting it may seem, with faith.  The blindest kind.  

Kaycee is also one of the most accepting people I have ever met.  We all judge sometimes, and unfortunately, in a lot of situations, we tend to assume the worst in people.  However, Kaycee has always been everyone's friend.  She is amazing because she establishes her standards, and holds them high, but doesn't walk away from a friendship, or judge someone because their standards are different.  From the person sitting alone at lunch, to the person who has everything they could possibly want, Kaycee is their friend.  

She is a tiny girl with a giant heart.

More memories to come, Kayc!

******

This is Garen Kay Anderson

Gare.  G.  Gerna.  Gern.  G-man.

He doesn't really appreciate it when I make him do goofy faces.  He does it anyway.

One of those photo booth (I'm obsessed with those) pictures!

Bored.  "Lets make the ugliest faces that we possibly can." Op, I win.

My birthday!  Photo taken with brand the new camera I had just opened.   Yay pictures.  And yay presents.  Yay presents that take pictures!

Garen and I became friends in our 7th grade TLC class.  We were in the same cooking group, and he couldn't tie his own apron, so I did it for him.  We started becoming best friends during the summer before our Junior year of high school.  Ever since then, I have considered him one of my dearest friends. He said once that we were probably good friends in the pre-mortal life, and I have to agree.  From conversations about the most ridiculous and goofy things, to discussions about the deep beauties of the gospel and the world around us, Garen and I have always been able to talk - about anything. Even when we don't talk, we are pretty good at reading each other.  Like books, actually.  Kids books.  The ones that at this age we should be really good at reading.  Like that.  Most of the time, anyway.  :) Besides that, we have always rejoiced in each other's successes/accomplishments and been there for each other during discouraging times.  Good friendships are ones where each person is uplifted and improved because of the other.  I truly feel like that has been the case with this kid and me.  Here are a couple reasons why: 

 Garen is one of the most sincere, real, and genuine persons I have ever met.  He is usually a man of brevity, so he thinks very carefully about the things he says (again, usually haha - he always cracks me up with little things that raise my eye-brows when they slip out).  When he asks a person how they are, he doesn't just do it to make conversation.  He is genuinely interested, and hopes that they are well.   Time after time, I have watched him have conversations with people, and it is obvious that they matter to him.  How awesome would it be if everyone we talked to walked away thinking that they meant the world to us?  Garen is one of those people who are friends with everyone.  Sometimes when he can't sleep at night, he pulls out old year books, and looks at each of the pictures.  He thinks about each person's life, and wonders what their story is.  Who does that?! 

 He sees.  He is a fabulous example. 

When Garen puts his mind to something, or understands something in a certain way, he sticks to it.  Not to say he isn't teachable, because he is also super humble.  He just thinks in a very unique way.  He is pretty one-track minded, and that is something that I respect about him.  In this world, there are so many grey areas, and in some situations it's great, but in a lot of others situations, it's not.  For Garen, things are pretty black and white, and this is reflected in the way that he acts upon the things that he believes.  For Garen, you believe something, you act with all you have in accordance to that belief.  The whole world would be much improved if we could all do that.  

I have been blessed with amazing people surrounding me, but I have been thinking quite a bit about the friendships that I have, and these two people's examples have stood out to me in the past couple of days. I only hope that one day I can be as awesome as them!