just reminiscing.

WARNING: You are about to see a LOT of pictures. If you're not the kind who enjoys pictures, leave now! ;-)


This post is just a post I'm making to reminisce.
I'm now a middle school leader at church, and I have been remembering specific moments of my middle-high school years I thought I would share.


Yes. That's me. With my best friend Bethany. Bethany and I met in 10th grade through a mutual friend.

We've always been crazy and wild with each other. When we are together, you better watch out!

She was there for me through everything - whether it was listening to me worry, complain, or cry over whatever boy I liked at the moment, or enjoying the little moments together.

We both happened to be at New Life Church in the fall of 2009. I was starting School of Worship, and she was doing the Furnace.
Now Bethany is currently in Germany doing YWAM, not knowing exactly what she is going to do with her life, but following the steps she should be taking.
I'm proud of the woman that she is.
I've seen her come through so much insecurity and fear - she has abandoned that. She is taking a new life now.


And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the most unexpected best friend I've ever made:

Do you want to know how Holly and I met?

No, seriously, do you really want to know?

Okay, you asked...


We were both in love (obsessed, more like) with this man.
Clay Aiken.

We met at a Clay Colorado fan board at 13 years old. We were both too young to meet up with the adults who were fans because they were meeting in a restaurant with a bar or something. So, I invited her over to my house.
She was dropped off and immediately I whip out the American Idol board game.
"Let's play!" I excitedly said.
"I don't sing," she responded.
"WHAT???!!!" (Okay, maybe it wasn't that dramatic, but really, she was the first person I had ever met that "didn't sing" - whatever that meant).

The only thing we had in common was Clay Aiken, and when she left that night I told Jeremy one thing:
"That girl is going to be my best friend."
And she still is - 7 years later.
Neither of us really like Clay anymore, and it's cool to see that even though we are opposites, we are still so close. We've been through a lot together, but we've made it!


It's crazy how kids grow up so fast. This was the day Holly's niece, Avah, was born.

Fast forward to now:

(isn't she such a gorgeous girl, already??)





Junior Homecoming


Palmer Park Overlook - our favorite place :-)





My favorite picture of the three of us (senior year).

And together we made THE GANG. It was our term for the big group of us friends. For three summers, we hung out almost every night together. We did everything together. Many of us dated each other (yes I was one of them. I've always been boy crazy) and those moments are some of the best moments of my life!
Started out with me, Holly, Ross and Ian B (Bethany's brother).
Then we added Bethany, Matt, Jen and Breton (Bethany's other brother).
And our extra gang members were Jeremy and Ian G (Holly's now-boyfriend. Yes, Holly grew up with her boyfriend. Cute, right?)

We were a very close group of friends with a lot of laughter and a lot of love.



(A page from the scrapbook Bethany made me one year)



(That is Jen with us back when she had the gothic punk look or whatever. Haha)



Ian B, Matt, Breton, and Ian G in their band photo. Their group is called "Emolicious" and back then people use to approach them at malls and stuff. They were spread by word of mouth.


This was at our favorite restaurant, Ruby's Diner.
I worked there for a year before they closed down. I still crave their food!


My sister, Kiley and brother, Jeremy have always been two of my favorite people. If you really want to see me in the most awkward stage of my life, here is the perfect picture for that:

(I think I was 14 here.)


That's Kiley (left) with her best friend, Jamie. This was four years ago, and they are still best friends.






My dog, Delaney (I haven't seen her since January):

By the way, I'm not a dog person at all, but I love her. She has a special place in my heart.




In January of my sophomore year, my mom and I went to Los Angeles for a competition I was in. IMTA stands for International Model and Talent Association. I made honorable mentions for my singing and commercial, but I made the top 10 for Miss Junior Actress of the Year. This is the award I got.






I've had every color hair I could ever imagine through my high school years. I think this color always suited me best.


"Hey, do you want to go to an Ingrid Michaelson concert," my friend Rebecca asked.
"Who is Ingrid Michaelson?"

I was deeply deprived.
This picture was my first time seeing her in concert, and then getting to meet her.
She is now probably my favorite artist of all time (other than Gavin DeGraw, duh).



My favorite senior picture that Holly took :-)


...Or this one! (I like making weird faces, I guess)


I was on prom court with one of my closest friends, Natalie.
This assembly was one of the most carefree, funnest moments of my life!


He was my prom court "date." We were just friends but look like a legit couple here! Ha!




Making faces at my friend Maygan while singing. This was when our choir traveled to Disney land to perform!



I was voted "Most Unique" in high school. ;-)




Our Senior Prom... I didn't win prom queen but I didn't care! I had a blast!


I worked at a lodge at the base of Mount Evans the summer after my senior year. Jeremy came with me... it was some great times! This was the whole crew. We lived together for 3 months.

My attempt at being creative:






Ahhh... memories. My memories.
It's such a beautiful thing. And one thing is for certain: People always made fun of me for carrying around a camera 24/7 while growing up, but I'm so glad I did! It's good to reflect on your past and where you come from!

Have a great weekend!!