Another Belated Birthday

It seems my blog and I have horrible timing and I always miss birthdays.  While I was in California my Mom celebrated her birthday!  Because of my lack of internet access I was unable to make the birthday tribute I would have liked.  So here it is... late.   

I love my Mom  for endless reasons and I miss her everyday.  She is the most caring person I know.  She's always looking out for her family, friends and people she doesn't even know.  Whenever I talk to her she is always helping someone new.  Every holiday she tries to make me feel as much as home as possible and still sends me a package in the mail.  

Taylor amazes me everyday, with some new sport or some new activity she has joined but I am secretly even more amazed by my Mom and her ability to keep up with everyones schedule.  Between volleyball tournaments, soccer games, track meets, practices for all sports, church, school and everything else somehow my Mom finds time in her schedule for everything and still stay just as involved with me and Lauryn.  Now seeing the other side of everything I think back when all of us were at home.  Lauryn and I had our cheerleading, theater, student counsel, school, and all of our friends always at the house and then she was always volunteering for our schools or being the room mom.  Some how the house was always spotless and she always made sure we had fun as a family.  

I am in awe of how amazing my Mom is.  I love her so much and I am so happy I was able to spend so much time with her the past couple of weeks.  Living so far away I don't get to see her a lot, so seeing her and just hanging out with her again was just what I have been needing.  I am already looking forward to the next time I get to see my Mom.  

Thanks for everything you do Mom.  I love you so much!  Happy Be-lated Birthday!

Blast Off

At approximately 6:30 am I will be headed to the airport for California! This weekend I will be cheering on the cheer team at Nationals in Anaheim.  It's going to be so weird not being on the mat and sitting right on the edge making sure the music works and "play" gets pressed when it's supposed to but I'm excited.  After all the fun competition I get to go play at Disneyland!  I love Disneyland!  I'm am having major flashbacks of going to Nationals at Disneyworld.  This is going to be a great way to end a great month.  This whole month has been sort of crazy but the good kind of crazy.  Especially since I have been able to see my family.  

I think I'm going to make my next trip be to Spokane.  Lauryn get my bed ready and I'll bring The Best of Tracy Morgan.  Maybe by the time I get there you'll have a furry friend.  Hopefully he loves me as much as Scout does.  Sorry if he goes missing.  You might want to check my house first.  woops.

Hopefully I will come back with lots of fun stories and pictures!  I wish everyone could come!

Exceptions

Remember how just 3 minutes ago I stated "I was born in Southern California and raised in Central Texas, so maybe I was spoiled when it comes to warmth.... with the occasional exception of a freeze in Texas"?  I forgot to mention the occasional hail storm too.  Mom just sent me this picture from outside our house.  Currently home is about 10 degrees warmer then Provo, I still think I'm spoiled. 

Blogging Hibernation

I have been in a state of blogging hibernation.  I'm sorry.  And yes, I am aware that bears technically don't go into "real" hibernation but I think they are cute and they remind me of Scout.  Alas, I am back!  I will say I have intended to come out of my blogging hibernation but every time I go to blog, it snows.  It snowed last night and maybe a little this morning but I decided I'm going to stick it to Mr. Winter and welcome spring with open arms!  Come back Sun and Warmth!  We will prevail!  I was born in Southern California and raised in Central Texas, so maybe I was a little spoiled when it comes to warmth... with the occasional exception of a freeze in Texas. 

 Mom helped me out this winter and got me these.  Best Christmas surprise ever!  I had been on the search for them everywhere and never found them.  But mom being the sleuth she is found them and saved my feet from freezing.  Thanks Mom because of you I have kept all 10 toes, and non of them are showing signs of frostbite.  I was introduced to this delicious delight and few years ago and every winter I CRAVE it.  I have to say I am not much of a tea person but this herbal, caffeine free, mug of "liquid sunshine" is fantastic!  All those who are still suffering through cold temperatures this spring I prescribe a nice mug full, it's like a little taste of spring and summertime. 

Of course I have put all my blankets to good use.  I love blankets!  I always have.  Naturally one would think "Kendyl!  You would LOVE the Snuggie!"  No, I wouldn't.  I can talk on the phone, read books, knit, watch TV, and use my computer(so far so good) just fine with out it.  Maybe it's just me but it looks extremely uncomfortable.  I realized this while watching Tracy Morgan on Jimmy Fallon one night recently and watched them tug and pull at them the entire interview.  Not to be vain but really you look ridiculous.  Thanks for the thought but I really love the blankets I have and function great without the Snuggie.  

I would like to apologize on behalf of my blog for being in hibernation for lots of birthday's.  Most importantly my Dad's, Lauryn's, and Courtney's.  Please forgive me and my blog.  I will try not to let this happen next year.  I'm sure you will make plenty of appearances here to make up for my lack of blog wishes.  I still love all of you! Happy late birthday!  

"Know Love"

A couple weeks before Halloween my Mom surprised me with one of her famous packages.  She sends me a package for every holiday!  I love her so much!  When I found the package I got so excited because I can always count on all kinds of fun things inside.  The minute I opened the box I smelled my Mom.  Is that weird?  I started looking through the package and there was the cutest purse full of treats and cute little halloween bags for me to hand out to other people.  My Mom made this "All Hallows Eve" banner for me to hang up in my apartment because she knew my roommates and I were wanting to make our little home festive!  The banner is actually still 

hanging up.  I should probably take it down but it's just so hard to because I know it's really cute and it's fun to tell everyone that comes over and asks about it that my Mom made that.  I'm so lucky I have a mom who is so creative!  I kept examining my purse and there's about a bazillion pockets and in one of them was Victor and Ralph Flower Bomb!(If you know me, I've been obsessed since it came out)  This is why when I opened the box it smelled of my Mom!  I remember talking to my Mom one day and just mentioning to her I am running out.  So she decided to send me some for Halloween.

I really don't know a greater women in the world then my Mom. She loves giving!  Every time I get a package from her it's full of great surprises and things that I had forgotten that I even mentioned to her I wanted.  I think the greatest part is that she remembered my friends.  She made sure that I would have something to give other people.  Ever since I was little she has taught me to remember others.  Whenever I talk her she is always giving me ideas of things I can do for my girls I visit teach, friends and all the people around me.  I cannot wait to go home for Thanksgiving.  We have some fun projects we are wanting to work on while I'm there.  Which is another reason why I love her.  She is so talented.  Through her I have a greater appreciation for music, art and just the simple things in life.  

Mom, I love you!  Thank you for every little lesson you have taught me and for everything you do for me, Lauryn, Taylor and Dad!  I can't wait to see you soon!

... This last image is one of 8 small squares of a mirror frame my Mom wood burned and painted for me a couple years ago.  This mirror could be a whole other blog post.  Maybe that will come soon!

"Bueller... Bueller.... Bueller?"

I'm here I promise!  I made it to Utah in one piece!  Thanks Dad for driving the whole way yet another trip!  He's such a trooper.  My Mom made sure to pack us lots of delicious cookies and clementines for the trip.  I think Clementines are my new favorite road trip snack.  Thanks Mom for keeping us well fed and not just on junk food!   

I'm so happy to be back here although I miss my family every day.  It has been very weird not having Lauryn here now.  I'm happy her and Derek are out doing bigger and better things but I'm sad I never get to see them, even if it is just to pick Lauryn up from work and take her home.  I really have been enjoying my time here though.  My best friend Larissa got home from her mission this past summer so she is back in Utah!  Her sister and brother Julia and Darren are up here, along with Larissa's boyfriend Mikkel and we have been having lots of fun.  I have missed these guys very much and it's so good to go and have fun with them again.

 All of the Dyer girls are up here as well.  This past weekend Rachel FINALLY had a volleyball game at home against Airforce.  Rachel played GREAT while Me, Lindsay, Nicole, Tammy, Emily and the rest of the family and friends cheered in our usual Flyer Dyer cheering section.  I really do have the best friends ever.  The Olsons and the Dyers have always made me feel like I am a part of their family and I am so thankful for them!

  

School has been going good, I have met with the Dental Hygiene school to get a feel for what exactly needs to get done.  So the process has begun.  I really wish I could just start today!  I'm really enjoying my classes.  They have all been easy so far and I have not felt a whole lot of stress from school.  This has been a blessing because somehow I have been able to do well in school while really focusing on becoming my best self and enjoying life!  My family and friends have been a huge part helping me and supporting me.  

Cheerleading has also been lots of fun.  We have already had a handful of volleyball games and all have gone well.  This squad is so much fun!  Everyone is great and works hard!  We are about to start to prepare for Nationals and I am so excited!  Competing was my favorite part about cheerleading!  The adrenaline rush you get right before and then all the excitement you feel right after you preform.  I cannot wait!  

That pretty much sums up the last few weeks.  This sort of is a tribute to my great family and friends.  Those who I don't get to see on a regular basis these days I miss so much and I love them lots and lots!  I'm so glad I have great friends and I have really loved making new friends with my roommates and everyone in my ward!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!!!!

Today Taylor turns 13 so I will list my top 13 favorite things about her!  Taylor is and amazing girl so it's going to be kind of hard to narrow the list to 13.  

#1.  She's so smart!  I don't think I have ever heard my parents ask her to do her homework or study.  She has always done it on her own and has always made all A's.

   #2.  Taylor is so athletic.  She loves all sports but her favorite is Volleyball. She just made the school team and found out today that she is on the A team! Also she gets to go to the BYU volleyball game in College Station on her birthday!  My good friend Rachel Dyer is on the team and she is Taylor's favorite player along with Misty May.  What a great birthday!  I'm just so sad I can't be there with her today but I know she is having a great day!

#3.  Taylor is so cute!  She's never been a huge fan of shopping but she's really starting to enjoy it and she always looks cute in everything!

#4.  She's hysterical!  I try and convince her and everyone that it's because I'm funny but she's been witty since she could talk. 

#5.  She will not tell a lie.  I have come to learn if you want Taylor's opinion she will tell you.  Even if she knows it's not what you're wanting to hear she will let you know but in the nicest way.  

#6.  Taylor is a great friend.  She's one of my best friends.  Everyone loves her and want's to be her friend.  She's a very well rounded girl and has all kind of friends and she is a great example to all of them.

#7.  Taylor is so responsible.  Not only do my parents not have to ask her to do her homework but whenever she has gone on school trips or trips with friends families she is always checking in with someone in the our family and making sure we know where she is or if she has to put her phone away we know that's why she's not answering or calling.  No one asked her to do this.

#8. She's extremely caring.  Anytime I have ever been sick or hurt she is always around making sure I have what I need and helping my mom.  I really appreciate her for all her love.

#9. Taylor is so creative.  Give her a box and she's entertained for days.  I remember one Easter when she was very little she got a large Easter basket.  She spent more hours in the basket then playing with her presents from the Easter Bunny that day.

#10.  She's so much fun to do things with.  Taylor and I took a trip to California two summers ago and the two of us went to Disneyland.  I had so much fun and I always want her with me when I go.  

#11.  She never quits.  If Taylor starts something she will finish it even if she has something more fun to do.

#12.  Taylor loves to read.  She just finished reading Animal Farm right before I came back to Utah.  I was required to read Animal Farm my Freshman year of

 high school and I think I considered the class discussion as "reading".  I'm glad she has always loved reading where as I just started to love reading after High School.  

#13.  The best thing about Taylor is she is who she is.  It has never really mattered to her whether it was popular or not for her to do certain things or be a certain way.  If it's what she liked or what she was supposed to be doing then she would do it no matter what.  Taylor is unique girl and I hope she continues to improve her already great qualities!  I love her and miss her so much!

Tomorrow Taylor tries out for club volleyball so my birthday wish to her is that she plays her best to make the team she's hoping for and has a great season in both club and school volleyball.  

I LOVE YOU TAYLOR!  HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY!