Mustard and Catch-Up

Hey.

It's already been a month since I last posted.

Does time fly or what?

To make up for my horrible lack of posting, let's play catch-up.

Madison is home! He came back on Wednesday, and it was the best reunion ever. I didn't think I'd cry, but when I saw him turn that corner to come greet us, there I was, crying like a baby. He hardly recognized me after two years of being away. It's so amazing having him back where he belongs. 

Florida was quite the trip. First and foremost, I rocked those Nike gladiator sandals like I've never rocked a shoe before (and after showing off my favorite pair of shoes, I became obsessed with these babies shortly after). Although some days were actually cold--as in, 44 degrees cold--I basked in the sun on the warm days. I went to Epcot and celebrated New Year's. I went to the Magic Kingdom and rode Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain for the first time. I had the opportunity to watch Tanner in his All-American game where he received the MVP award. I bought yet another pair of shoes. I stood 100 feet away from my celebrity crush, Cam Newton. One day, Cammy, one day. And boy, did I have fun. Ohhh yeahhh.

School is wonderful! Straight A's, cool teachers (with the exception of ONE), great social life, we're all good. I'm enjoying the easiness of middle school while it lasts.

Sports are going VERY well. I have a volleyball tournament next Saturday and the AAU season is in session. I'm gonna be honest, we have a lot of work to do, but I think we'll probably place about 4th or 5th this year. It'll be nice in high school when I get to play with older girls. I like a good challenge.

I'm growing my hair out. By summer, it'll be long and luscious and I won't have to worry about straightening it or making sure it looks good. They'll just be long locks of dirty blonde hair.

And, as always, I love ma best friend Zane(:

I'm obsessed with Temple Run and Sky Burger.

And that's about it.

Thanks for the great game of catch-up, y'all.

♥ Abigail ♥

Florida Bound

Hello.

It's 10:10 PM.

In exactly 7 hours and 50 minutes, I will be waking up to go to the airport.

At 6:55 AM, I will fly to Phoenix.

From there, to Orlando.

Yes, that's right.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA.

Home of Walt Disney World and Epcot,

Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom.

Am I excited?

Heck yes!

Partly because I get to show off these babies:

partly because I get to go to Disney World and all those other places,

partly because I'm going to Tanner's All-American football game,

and partly because, well, it's FLORIDA!

Never in my life have I been to the east.

I think the farthest east I've been to is Denver.

That's just sad.

I got a spray tan just for this special occasion.

And boy, do I look tan! And completely non-orange!

Yesssss.

Well, next time you hear from me, I'll be in Orlando rocking short shorts, tank tops, those beauties up there, and sunglasses.

Ohhhhh yeahhhhh.

♥ Abigail ♥

Doubled

It's December.

And you know what that means.

CHRISTMAS!

The time of lights, caramels, feasts...

...and presents!

But did you know my birthday is also in December?

I just had it. Three days ago.

And do you know what that means?

Double the presents(:

Oh, how I love December.

So, I'm 13 now.

A big girl, a teenager.

Entering the world of teen-mania. At least, that's what people tell me.

I don't feel much different. Am I supposed to?

But I'm enjoying it.

No more baby 12-year-old me.

Although it is fun telling people I'm a 12-year-old playing with 15-year-old girls on a club basketball team.

13 sounds so much older.

But never mind that.

Have a lovely December! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

♥ Abigail ♥

Quarter One Down

These pictures are dedicated to Allie. She looks just great, doesn't she?

Oh Allie:)

Honestly, I don't know what to write. Lots of wonderful things have happened. Let's just go in a random sequence.

I love life.

I love ma boy Zane. ♥

I finished the first quarter with straight A's, all 95 and above!

I love my teachers.

I went trick-or-treating with that girl (above) last night. We didn't get very much candy, because half of the houses in the neighborhood were dark, but I loved my cowgirl costume. I wore a red and blue flannel with a red handkerchief around my neck, jeans that make my butt look really nice, cowboy boots, and a braid coming down the side. Beautimous(:

My basketball club is heading to Seattle on Friday! GO FUSION!

Tanner's team made it to state.

I grew a half-inch.

My braces are doing just fine. 

Jay-Z and I share the same birthday!

I wore these really cool Air Maxes to school today; people liked them a lot!

Club volleyball starts Thursday!

Cooper turned 5 four days ago! He's old!

My teacher's dog died today:(

I hate my natural hair.

When I move into Tanner's room I'm going to paint it pink.

My mom just left for a cooking class.

I had the best weekend ever!

I have a lot of clothes, and I don't wear half of them.

The sweatshirt I'm wearing right now is making me really hot.

In English I'm studying Nicolaus Copernicus! He invented the heliocentric theory. Ha!

The new iPhone 3S is awesome. Serie is amazing.

My first love from preschool came into town. That was fun.

I'm wearing pink socks.

My contacts kinda hurt right now.

I'm currently taking Spanish. We learned the alphabet today!

I am in loooooooove with Cam Newton. AHHH!

(Zane, I don't care if Cam Newton has Shrek ears.)

I recently came back from a tournament in Salt Lake. We played against sophomores in high school and we're 8th graders! Well, I'm the only 7th grader:) We lost in double OT in the championship. Heartbreaker.

I've been wearing a lot of my brother's clothes lately.

I have a disorder where I can't repeat outfits. It's terrible.

I like Apples to Apples.

I love Five Guys.

Girl, look at that body, girl look at that body, I WORK OUT!

I don't know what I should do for my birthday party with Jay-Z.

I'm going to Florida over winter break for Tanner's All-American game where hopefully I'll meet Cam Newton! :O

I want to move to Italy when I'm old and retired.

I eat Starbursts with braces. Woah.

When I walk in the spot, this is what I see. E'erybody stop and starin' at me!

I like writing notes to people.

I hate getting up at 6:30.

I just remembered that I'll miss the football game on Friday! NOOO!

I'M SEXY AND I KNOW IT!

I love Coldplay. And I mean it.

Guido's Pizza is the bomb diggity.

I strangely can't wait for track season.

Baby, it's cold outside.

Dolvett Quince is yummy. And I like his name.

I wish I could play lacrosse.

I wish I was good at soccer.

I want to be a real estate agent when I grow up.

I know someone whose house got hit by a hot air balloon. How sad.

Cooper is staring at me right now.

He just looked away.

Aww, he's so cute.

Look at those brown eyes.

And those cute wittle ears.

Okay, back to the post.

I wear a size 9 1/2. Yeah, I have big feet.

Cooper just looked at me again.

Okay, he looked away.

My favorite Gatorade flavor is Cool Blue. Yummy!

7th grade is fun. The year's going by so fast!

I'm about to take my dog for a walk, so see ya!

Hope life's great for you, people!

♥ Abigail ♥

For Meredith

With her Dee-Dee wrapped around her neck, Meredith does her homework with a positive attitude.

(I would make an awesome school newspaper writer.)

This sexy chick right here is named Meredith.

She's an Emergency Room Nurse over at West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell, Idaho.

She's single.

She's 5'10" and a quarter.

She just turned 24 yesterday.

She's my best friend.

And the best part. She's my sister!

I love you, Meredith, like a drug addict loves heroine.

I just thought you should know that.

♥ Abigail ♥

P.S. New post over at the other blog, My Talent! Go see.

April

April. The time of year when the weather is unpredictable. It may rain one day, then shine brightly the next. April. The time of year when you have a right to wear shorts and a t-shirt after wearing snow pants and ski parkas all winter long. April. The time of year when you're actually excited to walk your dog. April. The Easter Bunny comes along, hiding Easter baskets throughout the whole house. April. Who could forget mating season? New life comes in April, making Earth seem a whole lot younger again.

This past April has been a busy one for me. With track five days a week, basketball three days a week, and other activities taking place, I've felt that I haven't had any time for anything, including blogging. I honestly haven't thought about my blog once this whole month. I even missed the Truly Abigail three-year anniversary! Sorry, blog:( I promise to blog at least three times a month this summer.

Like I said, track has been occupying much of my time. We have it from 3:00 to 4:30 every day. Then I usually have some extra-curricular activity afterwards. To sum it up, I have been booked. We had our first track meet last week against Lake Hazel and Meridian. It was a good meet for us; the girls beat the other teams by more than 40 points! I competed in the 100M dash, the 200, and the 4 x 100 relay where I was the anchor leg. I was proud of my times! This is what they were:

100 Meter Dash

Original Time: 15.2 s

New Time: 13.5 s

200 Meter Dash

Original Time: 34.7 s

New Time: 30.5 s

We also won our relay. I was on a 6th grade team when I competed in the relay, but was moved up to the A team with the 7th and 8th graders just recently! Although I was put as 3rd leg, I'm just proud to be in the position I am! Maybe at our upcoming track meet against Lewis and Clark I'll beat our anchor leg's time.

Also, I have been taking piano for a couple months now! I may be just a beginner, but I'm already playing in G position, which with the average 8-year-old, it would take 3 years to learn. I'm definitely learning a lot:)

Hope spring is just swell for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

♥ Abigail ♥


P.S. I ended up not getting braces! I guess my teeth aren't "fully developed". August will be the month!

Luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patty's Day.

I'll be off in Twin Falls for a basketball tournament while you all enjoy your green day. 

♥ Abigail ♥

12 Years Living

On Saturday, December 4th, I turned 12 years old. For me, this is a great accomplishment. It means I am given more privileges, I have survived twelve years of life, and, most importantly, I get to advance from Primary to Young Women's.

Primary, in our Mormon terms, is the place kids from ages 3-11 go for the third hour of our three-hour long church. You sing songs from the Children's Songbook, learn one lesson per Sunday, and suffer an hour of obnoxious little kids. By the time you're ten years old you're wishing to escape into the peacefulness of Young Women's. That's where girls aged 12-17 go for the third hour. Boys go to Young Men's. There you are surrounded by well-behaved girls who are always willing to help with any problem of yours. It is easier to focus, for it is quiet in the room. The only noise you can hear besides the teacher is the hum of the furnace. 

I got to go to my first lesson as an official Young Woman on Sunday. We learned about the Nativity and thoughts about Christmas. For the first time in years I actually enjoyed listening, whereas in Primary I would never pay attention. I am excited to be with these girls; this should be quite an adventure.

As a celebration for surviving twelve years on Earth, I invited five girls over and together we went bowling and watched a basketball game (well, we didn't exactly watch). We had so much fun laughing, eating until we felt sick, and failing in bowling. No one could get the right technique down, so no one got very many points...except for me. Although I used the wrong technique, I scored 98 points, which is my new record! :) Bowling definitely isn't my sport, or anyone's, for that matter. No worries. We took lots of pictures (the ones above are just a few) and had the time of our lives. If I could relive one night of my life again, it would be that one. I don't think I could have a better experience.

Now Christmas is just around the corner; the house is covered in red, green, and lots of bright lights. I can't wait to see what this one has in store!

Oh, how I love December.

♥ Abigail ♥

Thankful

This past Thursday was a special day for my family and (hopefully) everyone else celebrating Thanksgiving. I had a huge feast with my parents and two of my four siblings. The grand dining room table was covered in some of my favorite foods: turkey, rolls with a lot of butter, mashed potatoes, and cooked carrots. It was probably one of the greatest meals in history.

The day before, Dad, my sister Meredith, and I packed up to drive to Salt Lake for the annual dinner my grandmother holds every year for my father's side of the family. There has not been one year where I haven't gone to the dinner. I am always so used to walking into Grandma's mansion and seeing the kids' table in the living room and the adults' table in the dining room. There are name tags set up in front of every platter, each individually written for every person in the family.

The three of us were very excited to once again go to the dinner, for we all were anxious to see our family after a few months, but as we went farther down the highway, we began to go slower and slower until we were driving only 30 miles per hour. The icy roads had slowed everyone down; Dad groaned in frustration. It wasn't until we were two hours into the trip that we realized we wouldn't make it until 8:00. So we pulled into a small town called Wendell, grabbed some lunch, and turned around. Though we were disappointed we wouldn't get to experience the gourmet meal Grandma always prepared, we also knew it wasn't worth it to drive seven hours to Salt Lake and then come back home the next day.

Thanksgiving day was even better now that we were home. This was my first year not being in Utah. We ate a meal that was identical to Grandma's, made by my lovely mother. It was even better since we had Tanner and Mom with us for the special occasion. We ate until we felt sick and had a Scrabble tournament (we are the masters at that game, let me tell you). Then we went to a movie called The Next Three Days. Russell Crowe is the main character, and he plays a father whose wife is accused of murder and is put in prison innocently. He has to risk his whole life to free her from lifelong captivity. It's an intense show; I strongly recommend it.

Now back to the point of the post, shall we?

I have so many things to be thankful for. If I was asked to name everything, it would take days to finish off the list. Literally, I don't think I could be any happier than I am now. To prove it, I'll post some of my gratitude list on here.

I Am Thankful For...

• the Internet
• slippers
• lazy days
• the sun
• Snuggies
• a body built to play basketball
• my chance to come to Earth
• shoes
• my family
• older siblings
• wise parents
• guidance
• jackets
• snow on the ground
• Christmas
• TV
• breaks from school
• teachers
• a personality of my own
• this blog
• capability of choosing right from wrong
• Nike
• my bedroom
• water
• Pepsi
• the challenges in life
• my height
• friends (and lots of them!)
• bikes
• laughter
• little kids
• swings on a playground
• the moon
• Meegan- if you hadn't come to Parker's rescue, he'd be desperate for love by now!
• music
• orthodontists (no matter how much pain they put you through)
• life lessons
• the world
• Cooper
• the mall
• hardwood floors to slide on
• hickey bobbing in the winter
• the church
• an older sister
• three football-playing brothers
• time
• cruise control
• school (no matter how boring it is)
• junk food
• movies
• the night time
• BYU
• loyal neighbors 

I have so much more, but I think I should stop now before I can't stop writing. I just think that I should take more advantage of what I have instead of wasting my time wishing for things other people have. I have so much to live for; why should I use all of my time here fretting about boys and drama and all the other time-wasting things? I ask myself this question all the time, but I don't have an answer for it.

Honestly, I really don't think I ever will have an answer.

♥ Abigail ♥

P.S. My birthday is on Saturday!

P.P.S. Happy late birthday to Parker! 26 years already?!

My Little Brother

Meet Cooper.

He's my four-legged buddy who is always there when I come home.

He gives me company when I am alone.

He's very good at making sure he marks his territory when we go on walks.

He never barks.

He loves people (and jumping on them).

He would do anything to get attention.

He's a quick learner; in fact, I taught him "shake" in three tries.

He likes to sleep.

He came from the Humane Society (or as I like to call it, the nasty pound).

He's single, lady pooches. ;)

But most importantly, he's my best friend.

Even though he can't respond, I tell him everything.

He is always there for me when I am in a bad mood.

He'll love me no matter what.

(Oh wow, I'm crying now.)

On Thursday, October 28th, Cooper turned four years old.

In my terms, he's one third done with his life.

Every day he grows older.

Every day I find a loose gray hair hanging around his fur.

Every day he grows a little bigger.

It makes me sad knowing he will live only to a minimum of 12 years old.

I feel bad not giving him all the attention I could.

Instead I stare at this computer screen when I could be throwing the ball with my dog.

My best friend.

The best thing I could ever have in my growing years.

We're going through this life together.

One step at a time.

Through all the tough times, a dog and a girl have each other's backs.

He may only be a dog,

but he has feelings too.

Probably just as many as a human does.

People take dogs for granted.

In my perspective, dogs are anyone's best friend.

They don't care if you're rich or poor...

Dirty or spotless...

Homeless or owner of a mansion...

Ugly or beautiful...

All they care about is that you're there with them.

Which is why I would do anything for my dog.

Even if it meant sacrificing something.

And that's a lot to ask for, considering he's just a dog.

So, happy birthday, my King of All Cutie Pies.

You've got a bright future ahead of you.

♥ Abigail ♥