I've had bad hair and I cannot lie..

you otha' brothas can't deny.
Oh short hair... sometimes I miss you so. But I must keep pressing forward and grow you out.

I have had many, many interesting hairstyles in my short 20 years of life. The list includes:

1. The supposed to be "Meg Ryan" accident haircut. (My sister, Heather, always experimented her haircutting ways on her life mannequin... me. I remember like it was yesterday her saying, "Oh, I'm doing the Meg Ryan look." No, it definitely did NOT turn out as such.)

2. 8th grade accident haircut. (People referred to me as "texas flat-top" and if you didn't know me, you'd think I was a lesbian. THANKFULLY there are no pictures to show ANYONE from this time period... except it was the day before picture day, so if you somehow get your hands on my 8th grade yearbook, you'll find me... short hair and all.)

3. Accident jet black hair. (I meant to dye it dark brown, but instead it went to black. I decided to make a statement and keep it for a while, but looking back at old pictures- I stand ashamed.)

4. Orange "Vitamin C" accident hairdo. (In my attempt to getting rid of the black hair, I bleached it 3 times. It turned bright bright orange *as you can vividly see in the last picture*. Again, against my better judgement, I decided to stick with it for a while to make yet another statement. And once again, I stand ashamed.)

5. Permed, fried "Vitamin C" accident hair. (Yes, you read correctly. After not touching it for a while, I decided to perm it. How a perm got into my head as a 'good idea' is beyond me. I had HUGE hair, and there was no possible way to tame it. It resolved in me chopping it off SHORT, but actually cute this time. I'll always be in debt to that hairstylist..... The above picture doesn't truly show how bad it was, but my hair is breathing it's final breaths as I smile so cutely in that high school hallway..)

The last time I had long hair was in 2nd grade, therefore, I'm giving it another shot. I must admit, going to the hairstylist still scares me a little bit. But with that history, do you blame me?

ANOTHER Birthday!!

Well. I know that I've been having a lot of birthday dedications.. but I don't care. :) This is a particularly important birthday because it belongs to my dear father who passed away in 1999.

(Handsome, isn't he?) There is so much to say about my dad. I truly believe that I was blessed with THE most amazing parents in the world. My dad was someone I always looked up to because I never heard anyone speak ill of him. He was well loved by everyone, and touched so many people's hearts with his generosity, kindness, dedication to the Gospel, love and sense of humor.

Since he passed away when I was only 10, sometimes it's hard to remember certain things about him. But there are other stories and traits that I'll keep with me always. The way he smelt, the way his face felt, the sound of his voice, and the way he looked in his sunday clothes.

During church, he'd let us crawl all over him.. play with his tie, hair, wedding ring, glasses... and all the while- he'd listen intently to the speaker. After Sacrament, he'd be a mess, but he wouldn't ever complain. He rarely complained about anything, actually. When his health was getting worse, he never slowed down. I never heard him say, "Why me?" He just took his trials and kept going.

He taught us the importance of being musical. I remember my sisters would sing harmony and I couldn't WAIT til I was old enough to learn. He and my mother were in a quartet with a couple from the ward, and they'd often put on shows during ward socials. So many times they'd all practice in the living room- and I would just sit and watch. He also wrote wonderful poetry. I often read them and it feels like he is still here.

He was 15 years older than my mom, so he was 50 years old when I was born. Many might say that having an old parent would be hard because he probably couldn't be as active with his children. I wouldn't change it. He was a true gentleman, and he was raised in a different time period with different values. Plus, it allowed me to realize that love knows no age. :) It is a bit mind-boggling to know he'd be turning 70 today.

It feels like only yesterday that we got that phone call saying they had found a heart for him. He was on the heart transplant list for years, and the chances were slim. But on that day, none of us thought about the chance he might not make it home. It wasn't an option. Before he left, he hugged us each individually and said, "Whatever happens, I'll always love you." After many surgeries and late nights, he passed away.

I have this journal I wrote in quite often during that time.. and I wrote "Today my dad died. I am going to miss him so much. I loved the smell of his cologne and the way he'd always hug me." It was a hard, dark time-- but knowing that I'll see him again one day brings tears to my eyes. He is amazing man. I miss ya, Dad. :)

Attention:

Alex has shaved his beard. He has had it since January, so this is quite the change.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Cuttte!

Alas

Finally, I am able to put some pictures of our cute little apartment. NOTICE: Pictures truly don't do it justice. It's just the right size and we love it.

This is our dining room... yes, I know, it's a card table. Did I mention we were poor newlyweds? :) Note: There is supposed to be a piano underneath that picture on the wall of the man on the piano, we just haven't found the time or strength the move it yet.

Note: Our bedroom isn't that exciting.. but don't you just love our bed?! Yes, yes you do.

In Memory

I couldn't sit here any longer and not pay tribute to those who died on this tragic day.

I'll never forget that day. I was in 8th grade, and every teacher was watching the news. At first, I thought it was just a horrific accident, but after the second plane hit, I couldn't believe what I saw. I recall my history teacher saying, "You all are apart of history. This is a tragic, memorable day. Never forget what happened today." I couldn't even fathom someone being so... heartless. It breaks my heart.

Now more than ever, I appreciate our country. The first couple of years after the attack, we had a great deal of patriotism in our country, but as time goes on- people forget. They don't remember how our freedom was challenged, and that many people died in the process.

We live in a society of great freedoms. We can believe what we want, worship where or how we want, have careers, families... we have opportunity. It's so much more than we realize, and we all need to open our eyes. What an incredible country we live in! I am so proud to be an American, and I hope that I continue to stay patriotic until the day I die. I will not take the freedoms I have for granted.

I love this country, and I will forever be grateful to those men who made freedom possible.

God Bless America.