Fifteen Year Reunion

It's been fifteen years since I graduated High School. Wow, 15 years! There was no formal reunion, so I tried to gather some of my own. About a month before heading out to Utah I let all my most favorite friends know when I'd be around. Some of them really wowed me by going out of there way to see me while I was in Delta. 

First, I had lunch with Maci (Sorensen) Hunt and Jen (Hill) Brodrick at Leo's. We sat and talked for three or four hours. I hadn't seen either of them for about three years, Jen even longer. We had a lot to catch up on and it was so fun to see them all grown and thriving. I know that may sound silly, but it was. I love how successful all my friend's have become. We've each experienced our own challenges, but I can say those two women have held their heads up high and made good things happen in their lives. They are definitely the kind of women I'd still choose to be friends with today. 

I was so bummed the next day when I realized I'd missed a chance to meet with them and our three other best friends at Denny's in Nephi that night. It's what we did on our last night together before we all left Delta, 15 years ago. 

A couple days later Heidi Draper walked over to my parents house after a Father's Day visit to her Dad. There aren't enough good words for Heidi. She is all that is right in the world. Seriously. I just love her and I know she has impacted so many lives. It amazes me just to think about it. 

I already mentioned hanging out at Ali (Nickle) Hughes' house after our museum stops in Lehi. I just knew I could stay there all night, chatting away with this old HS bestie. I feel like I see Ali pretty regularly during my Utah stops, but I usually catch up with her and someone else at the same time. It was nice to have her all to myself this trip. She truly has impacted my life more than almost any teenage/young-adult friend. 

(picture) 

A few days before I came back to Wisconsin I met Haley (Petersen) Skeem for lunch. I honestly became emotional on the simple car ride from my parents house to the restaurant. Like Jen, I haven't seen Haley in four or five years. But that wasn't the reason for my emotion. Just before I went to Utah we found out we are having a third little girl. I'm a little heartbroken for Reid, as I know how frustrating it can be to feel like "the only" in your sibling line up. But Haley made that burden so much easier during my younger years. She was my sister. The moment I saw her I told her how emotional I felt, "I have to find Reid his Haley!" I said as we embraced. 

(picture)

It's funny, because as close as we were there were bound to be some tiffs. At one point one of us mentioned how bad we felt for all the rotten things we did to the other in our youth and the other just laughed and said "I've thought the same thing from time to time." I can't remember which of us brought it up first, but it's funny how we each thought of our own moments of weakness and totally confessed to not remembering ever feeling like the other was at fault. But seriously, as close as we were we were bound to snap at each other and play mean tricks from time to time. She really was my sister. I love her beyond words. 

I was sad I missed a handful of other really special friends, and I'll be sure to put them on the top of my hit list for my next visit. It's nice to know that even 15 years later, I enjoy reconnecting with old friends when I go "home" for a visit. Surely that's a sign of a rich childhood that was blessed with spectacular friendships. 

Utah 2015: My Small Town Through New Eyes

I once used the term "painfully small" to describe my hometown. My father asked me to expound upon that. I never did. There was nothing painful about the size of my town growing up. I LOOOOOOOVED it. I'm probably a bit over dramatic about how lovely and perfect and wonderful and amazing my childhood was. And I credit most of that to the painfully small town where I grew up.

But growing up I always "wanted out." At the time I didn't even really know what "wanting out" meant. I just remember always telling people I wanted to grow up and live in a community just like Delta but not in Utah. I loved the community I belonged to, but I didn't love the homogeneity of it. I also had this deep desire to view that little community with "outsider" eyes. After week long trips out of town I'd always try and pretend like I was a new comer, seeing main street for the first time. It never really worked. It always felt like the exact same place I'd left just the week before.

And though it does feel different now, I realize a combination of things make that so. I mean, after 15 years it truly is different. There are new businesses, new museums, and even a new school (a couple years ago Reid and I watched as an excavator tore down one of my favorite HS classrooms -- it was pretty awesome). There are new subdivisions and new people, lots of new people. As a kid I felt like I knew EVERYONE, and now I definitely do not.

The other factor that makes it feel different is that I am different. All I knew growing up was my safe and comfy little community. I rarely traveled out of state, but I spent plenty of time wondering about the world outside of Utah's boundaries. Now, I feel like I have a sense of the world beyond Utah, and that helps me understand my lovely little community even better.

I love it even more. I marvel at it's uniqueness. People often ask me if I could ever live somewhere like that again, now that I've had such quick and easy access to shopping and entertainment and city life, and the answer is yes. Without skipping a beat I say yes.

I probably never will, but that isn't the point. The point is I could. I've seen the cities and the economic opportunities and the ease of having constant consumption at my finger tips -- and it is not grander than community.

When Ben and I went Grocery shopping on Saturday I spotted a childhood friend I hadn't seen since my wedding reception. Though we know little of each other now, I was able to tell Ben so many good and wonderful things about this individual. How special to have someone randomly remember that in 5th grade, you stood up to bullies. And though many years have passed since then, I know that kind of character rarely breaks, and it did still show in her kind smile.

On Sunday we decided to attend Church out in the small farming community where I grew up. The first person we saw when we walked in the door was a boy my parents always teased me about during my elementary years. We sat behind an old childhood friend, who I occasionally skipped Sunday School with. Twenty years later her father was (once again) our Sunday School teacher, and just as if we were still teenagers he asked me, beaming, what I wanted more than anything else, and I happily answered "The Gift of the Holy Ghost." It was a great lesson in my youth; one that has always stuck with me. It was fun to see old faces and places, even when time has changed so many things.

I had a lunch date with two of my dearest friends on Monday.

It doesn't matter that nearly 15 years have passed since we each packed up and set out on our own (none of us live in Delta now), we still share such strong roots and those roots unite us. We sat at our booth for nearly four hours and still left so many things unsaid and so many topics ignored. We didn't even share that many "remember when" stories. With old friends as cherished as these you just pick up right where you left off and share your current joys and sorrows with one another.

Tuesday afternoon as my children and spouse were napping I flipped through my childhood scrapbook. When I got to the Middle School years I was dying. There were so many random pictures of friends who ended up being spouses. Plus, it was middle school and by nature it is so awkwardly awesome. As I was laughing to myself I decided I wanted to share this moment with at least one of those friendly faces, so I ran across the street and chatted with a childhood friend who is raising her six kids right across from my parents. Later that evening another face from those scrapbook pages stopped me in the garage and we chatted for a good ten minutes.

Wednesday morning we took the kids to library story hour, which was taught by none other than my very own sister-in-law. Reid was in heaven because it was animal themed. One mother remarked how impressed she was by his knowledge of obscure animals. I chuckled and gave credit where credit is due: Wild Krats. And I just couldn't get over how familiar she looked. Then it dawned on me. I'd babysat her (only about three times) as a child. For the life of me I could not remember her name, but I do remember how much she loved Wilbur from Charlotte's Web. I wonder if I looked even just a little bit familiar to her?

I definitely know I'm an outsider now. I don't belong to that community anymore, but it will always belong to me. And that makes it special. 

Quick Takes

1. Dress Ups and Lego Duplos are hot items around here. I'd be lost without them. They are by far the most loved toys in our house. 

2. Last Friday I had a lunch date with these two cuties. They each earned a free kids meal at Hardee's via our library's summer reading program. They were pretty happy about the whole ordeal.

I forgot how much I love curly fries. Yummy deep fried goodness.

3. Almost two weeks ago we had our semi-annual dentist check up and Reido was a super star. He did not make a peep. They completed an entire cleaning and check up without any help from mom or dad (just puppy). He told me his favorite part was the X-ray. He also told me they practiced what was going to happen to his teeth on his fingers, I thought that was pretty clever.

4. He also had his last day at Tot Time. I wanted him to give something nice to his sweet teachers, three el ed college girls, but I didn't know any of their names (how horrible am I) so making a card was out of the question. Instead I grabbed three of my small size L'BRI lotions and had him give each of them one while looking them in the eyes and saying "Thank you for being my teacher." We rehearsed it a few times at home, and he was so excited and nervous "should I do it right when I get there, or at the end?"  We decided it'd be a good goodbye at the end of class, so when he saw my car pull up he ran over asking "where's my lotions?" Then I watched him walk back over to each of them and repeat "Thank you for being my teacher" three times, even though they were all standing right by each other as he did it. They "ooohhhed" and "aaahhhed" each time he did so. It really was quite adorable. He's been missing Tot Time this week and I think the whole experience has him really excited for preschool. Mission accomplished!

The tie-dye shirt was a Tot Time craft. Oh, and he did not pee his pants, just a leaky water bottle on the car ride over. 

5. A few weeks ago I was strolling through Toys R Us when my eyes found pure gold. PURE GOLD, I tell ya! This sweet baby was my first love. And I have proof. 

6. The weather has been absolutely amazing the last couple of weeks. We've spent lots of time enjoying ourselves in our back yard. 

7. On Monday the kids and I drove through the country to meet an old childhood love of mine (not the above Cabbage Patch doll, but the little girl with a similar one clutched to her chest in the above photo). We had lots of fun catching up. I was able to go to lunch with both Heidi and her big sister Annie. When we were little, little tykes our parents (and one other family) would have game nights and BBQs together and all us kids would run wild. Annie and my older brother Jon and Heidi and I always remained close friends. They just happened to be in Wisconsin for a quick weekend, and I was thrilled to go see them.

We did spend quite a bit of time chatting about old friends (both from our childhood and college years, since we were both Aggies). We talked about our current stages in life, and I probably came off as less than thrilled over motherhood and marriage. I was just kind of in one of those "motherhood is work" and "marriage is work" funks. Hard work. And while that is true (so much work), marriage and motherhood are also marvelous and beautiful and rewarding and joyful. 

Anyway, I don't have anything grand to say about my lunch date with Heidi, but it's a special little memory I want to keep tucked away here on my blog. As a mother I can only hope and pray my kids have a friend as dear and as sweet as she. I was truly blessed with a magical childhood, filled with wonderful playmates. I'm grateful the years and the distance don't keep us apart. I truly believe the relationships we forge on this Earth are Eternal and Divine.  

Deep Breathes

So, a lot has happened the last few days.

A lot.

In hindsight, I kind of regret that I haven't blogged every day this year. I needed the break. The relief. But, like always, there have been a few blog post ideas running through my mind and without the pressure to post everyday I never found the motivation to share my feelings.

And now, after the events of the past few days I can never capture those impressions with the innocent, authentic voice I wish I had presented. Sometimes, I just wish I could go back and re-experience previous thoughts. Simple thoughts. Even thoughts I tried to push out of my head, because I didn't realize God was the one forcing me to contemplate them. Sometimes big things have to happen before we realize the power of a simple little thought.


On Tuesday, I babysat for one of my friends. I've had a hard time making friends in Oshkosh. I have friends, that's not what I'm getting at. And this whole topic is likely a post for another day, but this friend is dear to me for several reasons.

I love her kids.

And Tuesday, when her two youngest were in my home I just had the simplest little impressions. Mainly, "Gees, I thought Reid was a loving big brother, but he's got nothing on Benny. That boy is a lover."

And as for the baby sister he loved so freely. I found it so ironic I could get her to sleep, coo, smile, and relax so much easier than my own little newborn. I'd still classify my babies as easy, but Elenora was just a little miracle of happiness and laid back ease I've never witnessed in someone so small.


I don't understand God. I just don't. I know He is my father, and I know He gives His children what we need, even at the cost of withholding what we want. I know Christ can succor those who suffer. And I know that is a heavy burden He so willingly took on.

I've never, never mixed this blog with finances. But if you feel inspired, any amount will help my dear friend and her three young children at this time. Aaron Orr Memorial Fund

Company

One of Ben's law school classmates came to stay with us this weekend. We haven't seen her in nearly four years, and she now has a husband and little boy just two months younger than Nell. It was so fun to see her again. It also made us miss the third part of their little group. The third friend and his family live in Singapore, so I joked that I didn't wish they were with us, but rather that we were with them!

Visiting with her and her husband reminded me of what an extrovert I am. Sometimes I forget that, now that I stay at home with the kids. Plus, I've become less outgoing as I've gotten older. But I really do gain energy and happiness from long chats with others. All the adults stayed up until past 11:00 talking about life and, well, politics. It was funny, once our friend reminded her husband that we were her LDS democrat friends we just dove right into flawed party policies and the damage FOX News has brought to the conservative movement. Both favorite topics of mine.

Our little kids played so well together and it was fun to see Reid get so excited to have a friend stay at his house. Usually it's just Grandparents who stay the night, so there was a new level of excitement with these guests.

Even though we chatted for hours there were still so many conversations left unsaid. I love old friends like that, who you can just pick up with years later and act as though no time has passed. 

Some Pictures

His signature look.  Every time he did this my parents said "That's my Lizzy!"

I didn't pack my camera = I didn't get any pictures of the cute Bassett kids while we were at Grams and Gramps.  But I did get some of our other adventures captured (thanks to those I ventured with).

Ali, Jen, and I spent a few hours together.  It was fun to talk about birth stories and baby products, teaching and years gone by.  We went to Leo's  Delta Freeze.  My fries and shake were pretty close to as good as they usetabee but about $1.85 more and not quite as big.  Randomly enough, this picture was taken at the hospital . . . where we stopped to see Nurse Nickle!

I also was able to make a visit out to Lales, Jane, and Ellie.  I had to drive past the old homestead before leaving Sutherland.  As I drove down the dusty road that connects the Petersen place to the Bassett place I thought of all the bike rides and how careless and silly we were as kids.  "Beautiful,"  the word "beautiful" just kept coming to mind.  My childhood was beautiful and I thank my parents for the blessed circumstance.  It's just funny to think of two ten-year-olds meeting up at that corner and scavenging for the largest rocks (or slabs of cement) to throw over the bridge, in hopes that the splash from the canal might cool us off before we headed to one of our houses.  How simple, how beautiful.

We got to SLC a little early Friday so we could have brunch with the Szilagyi girls. Holding Jazz felt like a breeze!

This picture cracks me up.  "Helow Ladies!"

 Reid went straight for Jazz's doll once he saw it.  Seriously dove for it.

 The girls all looked gorgeous, and Mr Reid loved being the only fella of the crowd.  This made his pajamas more acceptable.  Typical man I guess, the ladies all do their hair and make-up and he can't even get out of his PJs.

This picture is the opposite of flattery in regards to my chunky grabs (there is nothing "lovable" about them, so I decided to give them a new name).  But I like that it shows Jess and I with our little two-day-apart delights!

Our visit really was fantastic and hopefully next time we come we can see more faces and hug more family.  

Nesting? For real?

Another week has come and gone.  How does time manage to pass so quickly and so slowly all at once?

I can't say that I'm loving pregnancy so much anymore.  What is this nesting business other women talk about?  I am EXHAUSTED 24hours a day.  Seriously I went to bed at about 8:30 the last two nights and I still have no energy.

Maybe it's the runny nose and sore throat.

Or the 106 needy teenagers (more like the handful of needy parents that accompany them).

Or the never ending list of demands DCPS administrators come up with.

...

I can't believe it's really at that moment where my little baby could come any minute now.  Hopefully the classes we took at the hospital will help me cope with the terror of a human crawling out my ... you all know the anatomy.

Here are some pictures from last weekend's shower.

 Linda is on the left.  I seriously don't think I could have survived that first year in DC without her. 

Courtney is the young firey thing that was pegged in the head with a brick, rushed to ER, and back at school the next day -- with staples so powerful she beeped when trying to go through airport security that weekend.

Gosh -- I'm huge!

Nicole and Mara (the two next to cute baby Addison) are the girls who threw the shower for me.  Darcy and Callie were also there, but Callie left before pictures.  I really have been blessed to work with the most amazing women these past four years. 

Phone Pics

Over the last two days I read chapters 11-13 of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings out loud to all 5 of my classes. I have no voice. Well, I can talk and when I do I sound just fine, but golly gee my throat burns afterward.

So Ben's just enjoying the quite and I've decided to take my phone pictures off my phone and onto my computer. I forgot about most of them. Here they are.This one goes back a while. Ben has to go home every year for the Boone County Fair. Which, I must point out is not even his native county. It is the county over . . . a tiny little one like Millard. But they managed to have a lion and tiger show, in the back there is a baby liger. I repeat, a baby liger. She was like 4 months old but the size of all the other cats. I was pretty proud to see my first liger.
This is my classroom after I finished getting it ready for the kids. When Ben walked in and saw it he just laughed "Let me get this straight, they made you leave Dunbar, to come here?" I flung my arms around and said "Welcome to my promotion." It is amazing that these two schools are 4 miles apart, run by the same head honchos.

Oh, I went to Dunbar this last Tuesday to support Emily, my friend and colleague who took over the volleyball team. It was so fabulous. The football team was just hanging out by the locker room. The seniors on the football team this year are basically all my little sophomore students from my first year. Ikeem was so happy to see me he was jumping up and down. His head almost hit the ceiling (he is about 6'5"). Marquis just laughed with joy "The only teacher who ever gave me a good grade." I hugged him and reassured him he earned it. When I saw Day Day I couldn't even help myself. . . "Day Day, they haven't thrown you out yet?" They all busted up laughing. That kid had more run ins with the law last year than any of my actual thug students. I was so glad to see he straightened himself out. Then there were my three geniuses from first period. It always broke my heart that Maurice, Vance and Vernard were stuck at that school. Three of the best students I've ever seen anywhere. So polite, so athletic, so brilliant. At Dunbar, so sad. I really hope they make it to the Turkey Bowl (the championship) cause I will tie Ben up and drag him there with me if I have to. I forgot how much I love those boys.

I also got to see several of my students from last year. I think they were on some sort of punishment, because I know they aren't affiliated with any of the sports teams and when they ran to say hi to me some drill sergeant dude yelled at them. I reminded Wes he failed my class on purpose cause his mom was going to make him go to summer school no matter what. He just laughed and reassured me he had changed. I also was able to go watch the end of the girls basketball practice. Tru reminded me he and Linda told me being let go from Dunbar was the best thing that could happen for me. They were right, but gosh I miss those kids.








Much like I miss this little dude and his princess sister. I forgot I even had taken these while we were waiting for Annie at Tuacan. He was so good that whole night.

Now this is the picture I actually got on my phone for. And I swore I took like four others, but this was the only one I had. Boooo. This is atop Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park. Last weekend Mara and I went down there for a hike. This picture does it no justice. I wish I had just lugged my real camera all the way up that mountain. It was so gorgeous. I know the mountains out here are wussy, but all those trees make up for it.

It was a perfect day for a hike. Slightly overcast, and when we reached the top we were in all sorts of fog, which just added to the beauty of all the orange, red, and yellow that surrounded us. It wasn't too cold, we just wore our long sleeve shirts and called it good. I could definitely move to that little valley in there and be happy for the rest of my life. The small towns back east are so romantically beautiful.

As good as I remember.

Today I invested $7.50 in a classic! I really remember close to nothing about Beaches, except that I fell in LOVE with Bette -- literally wanted her to kidnap me, being her daughter was my all time greatest dream (sorry mom and dad, I was like 7). My parents bought me the cassette, not the movie cause it is PG-13 (totally PG by today's standards). I sang my little heart out to that tape and waited for Bette to show up.

Anyway, all I really want to say is that I love chic-flics that focus on girl power. I never had sisters growing up so I relied heavily on gal pals. And I truly believe I had the best of them. Aren't they so cute! But I'm dying to know, who was the fourth dancer?
Poor Haley, we gave her so much crap for this picture, but looking at it all these years later still makes me chuckle right out loud. I love that girl! But seriously, I'm the one who should have been made fun of, what's the deal . . . I didn't have a bra so I had to use my belt line for support?

And I don't have any pictures of them . . . but a trip down childhood friendship lane wouldn't be complete without giving a shout out to Mandella and Beaner. I would never have survived a Sutherland summer with out Mandi. I love her and our memories together. And in hindsight I realize how much Shellene always meant to me, she was the first friend I totally called a bad word right to her face and she kept loving me anyway. As you learn from Beaches that is a real friendship.

Thanks girls!

Introductiong . . .

The Hughes'

(not really sure how to make that one plural).

It's been 21 days since Shar, Marie, and I embarked on an oh-so fun and beautiful, yet snowy, road trip to Manti, UT. Where Ali and Kresdon became Mr. and Mrs. Hughes. I had to save this post, out of all my recent brides, for last -- not just cause Ali is my most-best friend in the whole wide world, but cause this time I actually know and consider the groom to be one of my closest childhood friends as well.

Oh Ali and Kresdon, where to begin.

Here we are on what I think was their first date, it may not have been the first evening they spent together (I remember a couple times when Kresdon would drop by my house, beg me to come with him to Ali's and then the three of us would head up to Oak City). Anyway, this was there first High School dance date. And let me tell you, we had so much fun. I remember so few of my dates back in High School, no offense to any boys who took me out, my memory is just kind of spotty. But this was excellent. We went bowling, on a scavenger hunt (which we cheated on), and made our own pizzas before the dance. But I'm sure Ali and Kresdon will tell you there favorite part was after the dance. :)

So, I'm trying to decide who I became good friends with first. I remember the first day I met Kresdon. We were all sitting in our Sunday School room, waiting for Sister Preston to come teach us another story from the Doctorine and Covenants. She was never late for class so having all us kids sitting in the room waiting for her was really unusual. When she finally came in she had Kresdon with her, and she introduced him as a new member of our class, not just a visitor. Shellene and I were automatically intrigued . . . new blood. Later that week my bus driver Katie would have stopped at a new corner to wait for Kresdon and several of his younger siblings. It probably only took me one bus ride to realize this boy was not for me to have a crush on, but for something else entirely. Oh the wisdom learned on a school bus. I could have sworn all this was in the 7th grade, but Kyle Jensen's mother vouched for the fact that he moved in at grade 6. So I guess that was first.

Cause it was definitely 7th grade for me and Al. I'm sure we'd had some playground fun together before Mr. Owens pre-Algebra class. But that really is where the friendship was born. Oh, Mr. Owens. LOL. Give me a second to stop chuckling. We sat by each other the whole school year. Right up front and center, of course. I caused, a good amount a trouble. And Ali just sat next to me giggling over it all. I really don't think she was ever reprimanded by him, I was always sent to the Planning Center all alone. We'd pass notes through out the entire class, and of course Mr. Owens would only choose to notice when I had them. But I think there were more reasons than that not to like me . . . and quiet little Ali was just so sweet and innocent, of course she never got in trouble.

I also remember inviting her to my birthday party that year. I was so excited she was coming. Most the girls on the guest list were friends Haley and I (we were sharing the party) had had since kindergarten. Ali represented this idea that I could keep making new friends, even at the ripe old age of 13. I remember her, Maci, and Jenni Teeples watching me do my duties, cause no one believed I cried everytime I went number 2. LOL. TMI, I know, but that's when you know you have found yourself a keeper.

Well, there isn't really a scrapbook page from middle school on that doesn't have Ali's pretty face on it. We did pretty much everything together.

From summer night hangouts

to Powder Puff gameseven Accapella (the occasional day that we went)

and of course Oak City campouts

scrubbing toilets at Leo's

to Basketball

and the model

Oh and I have to scan in our Pick-a-little experience. We really did everything together. Even our first year of college. I so remember renting Ashley Judd movies and eating a whole box of pizza in bed while we scared ourselves to death in our little concrete room. Or roller blading over to Aggie Ice Cream. And then moving to Provo together, and watching your little organized self share a room with the tornado we call Jen. Underwear strewn about everywhere! And then even when we finally had to part at the end of that summer, it didn't change anything. We'd each occasionally drive the couple hours it took for us to reunite.










And here we are now, 27-year-olds (at least according to you) and we still can chat up a storm on the phone and find each other weekly on g-chat. Ali, I seriously love you. Probably not as much as Kresdon or you mom do, but pretty darn close.

"cheep cheep"

At this hour . . .

One of my best friends is getting married . . . and I'm not there. It is killing me! I found cheap tickets once, but I merely saved the flight plans and foolishly assumed I could book them a couple days later. As a consequence of this stupidity, I lost my chance to see Maci wed to her sweetheart, Ryan Leeflang. I'm so bummed about it. I've been looking for some reasonable prices everyday for about two weeks. I'd finally find some in the 300's and I'd get so excited till I realized they put me in Vegas at about 3:00. So sad, since I needed to be in St. George at 2:00. Anyway, in an effort to make me feel better I'll spend this time reflecting on my dear sweet Macers.

I totally remember the first time we met, summer of 1993. Quality Market, Delta, UT. I was so excited about the three new girls coming (from the South Elementary School) to my 5th grade class with Miss Roper. But I was convinced my dad had spelled this one girl's name wrong. It had to be Marci. :) I seriously spent my whole summer thinking about how I was going to be such good friends with this girl. Anyway, one afternoon in August we were checking out at Quality when my Dad pointed to this woman and her daughter and said "That's Maci." I was totally taken back by how tall she was! Ha ha, I rarley met someone my size. I also remember thinking "She looks so nice and quiet, we'll be friends for sure." We might have exchanged friendly hellos. I think we were introduced, cause I do remember thinking she seemed so quiet and shy. But I was immediately excited for school to start and for us to become friends. Which we did of course.

Here's a few pictures of some of my favorite Maci moments.Young Women's camps were always a highlight. Summer of 2000 (above) Maci was a fifth year, and I a fourth. So we just stayed in her tent the whole time and had Easy Cheese wars, and she signed me off on all my requirements. She owed me after whooping me so bad with that can of cheese. In 1998 (below) our camp was snowed out and we had to stay the night at the Palomor. So lame. To entertain ourselves, at 2:00a.m. -- we took her cheap-o camera, with no film, turned on the flash, and snapped the thing at the ceiling every 15 minutes. The flash was so bright the whole room lit up. The leaders were getting so mad. But we'd hide the camera and no one could figure out who was doing it. Guess I shouldn't complain about my students being obnoxious.


Our Senior year Shar, Ali, Marie, and Jen all had boyfriends so many a weekend night Maci, Carolyn and I found ourselves alone at Gardner's house. Apparently we were so lonely we went after Carolyn's Dad's game (above) and snuggled with each other (below).


Shar's wedding. Shar often reminds us that Delta saw it's worst rainstorm ever during her outdoor reception. All the guests were running inside with gifts and decorations as the rain just poured down. Maci, Ali, and I started to head back out for more of the stuff when Shar's Aunt told us to let the boys take care of the storm. Without stopping Maci ran out the door shouting "But I'm having so much fun!" So Ali and I followed and we spent the next 5 minutes dancing in the rain with our Church clothes on.

I loved getting together while away at College. I remember hanging out at Jen's, begging someone to take the bottom picture with me. But no one would do it, until Maci showed up. I love Runaway Bride . . . that's where I got the inspiration.

Basketball team camps were always another summer time highlight. From Freshman to Senior year. Sorry Mac, that Ali and I made you sleep on that ridiculously tiny cot. I can't believe we weren't kind enough to rotate each night.
But Basketball and YW camps weren't the only times we got together over the summer . . .
I have two scrapbook pages of water fun during the summer of 01, and Maci is in every picture. The above pic was one of my favs, the night we played football in the Stake House sprinklers.
And isn't the middle school sleepover picture oh so cute. I had an elementary picture of us that was oh so cute, but I couldn't get it to load up on here. We were a whole head taller than the tallest boy in our class. ha ha.
I could go on much longer, but I'll stop here . . . with the summer we were bunk buddies. I loved staying up till all hours of the morning chatting with my Macers. I especially love that we rode that tiny airplane together during our trip to Lagoon. Marie and Al each had their own plane, but I'm guessing I was scared so Mac rode with me for comfort.