Pictures say 1,000 words.

Berkleigh Sherece Bledsoe
November 27, 2010 at 12:15 a.m. 5lbs, 1 oz. 18 in.
She is the most beautiful baby there ever was.

Nik and Berkleigh.

Connor and Berkleigh!

IT'S ALIIIIIIVE!!!!! Just kidding, ha...ha...ha...

A new little family.








Just two of her awesome grandparents.



Someone's a little upset...

No one is more beautiful than my sister.

How Childish.

Life has gotten complicated.
With so many things on my mind right now, it's hard to keep things straight.
Passing classes, paying tickets, being an aunt, living up to my parents' expectations, 'love' life, body image issues, money...
Oh boy.
Right now, I'm thinking, "Why can't I just be a kid again?"
And then I get this awesome idea. (With the help of an awesome email.)

Why not be a kid again, if only for a day?

So, tomorrow - technically today - I am going to fulfill this list:

+Give yourself a gold star for everything you do today.


+Grow a milk mustache.


+Open a pack of cupcakes and give one to a friend even though you wanted both of them for yourself.


+Have a staring contest with your cat.


+Kiss a frog, just in case.


+Make a face the next time somebody tells you "no."


+Ask "Why?" a lot.


+Believe in fairy tales.


+Have someone read you a story.


+Wear your favorite shirt with your favorite pants even if they don't match.


+Do a cartwheel.


+Hide your vegetables under your napkin.


+Make a "slurpy" sound with your straw when you get to the bottom of a milkshake.


+Sit really still for as long as the dog (or cat) is asleep in your lap.


+Find some pretty stones and save them.


+Stick your head out the car window and moo if you see a cow.


+Walk barefoot in wet grass.


+Giggle at nude statues in a museum.


+Make cool screeching noises every time you turn.


+Count the colors in a rainbow.


+Fuss a little, then take a nap.


+Take a running jump over a big puddle.


+Giggle a lot for no real reason.


+Do that tap-someone-on-the-shoulder-while-you-stand-on- their-opposite-side-and-they-turn-around-and-no-one's- there thing.


+Enjoy your all-time favorite candy-bar. (Forget you've heard of calories!)


+Throw something and when it lands make a cool exploding bomb noise.


+Squish some mud between your toes.


+Buy yourself a helium balloon.


+Put an orange slice in your mouth, peel side out, and smile at people.


Be a kid again.

Bittersweet Thanksgiving.

It seems as though I'm still waiting for Thanksgiving break. In the past, Thanksgiving always felt like Thanksgiving. No matter what. This year, though, it's like life itself has changed. I have yet to tell if the change is completely good or bad, though it's definitely leaning in the good direction.
Yes, it has definitely been a bittersweet weekend. I find that if you think about the bitter part first, the sweet part always outshines everything else. So let me start with the bitter.
Debbie Downer.
The first bitter part of the break was on Tuesday. Saying goodbye to my friends was definitely the hardest part, especially with a blizzard chasing us right on our tails. Knowing we were in danger was making me more nervous than you can ever imagine. But at least we're all still alive.
Then, I arrived at my dad's house. I opened the door and was lucky enough to see my grandma first. Her words of welcome: "Oh, Jesus." followed by the slamming of her door. Isn't she lovely?
Fast forward to arriving at my mother's house. Surprise, they had Thanksgiving dinner without us. Am I the only one who finds that upsetting? Are we not worth waiting for?
My rude uncle was there, too. That was definitely the cherry on top of a pie I was not in the mood for.
Jump to being at the hospital. When Britny first got pregnant, it was I who was there by her side every single day. I went to her ultrasounds. I brought her food. I sang to her belly. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't there constantly and I wasn't the only one there for her, but we have always been each other's Number One's. She wanted me holding her hand during labor. I was to be the second one to hold the baby. Britny wanted me there with her step by step, and I was more than ecstatic to feel this love. Then, Nik came back. (That sounded negative, but it's not. I promise.) He loves her. He's there for her. She loves him back. They are perfect for each other, and I have never seen my sister so happy. Seeing her happy makes me happy. But, my selfish side broke through that happiness, and I couldn't help but feel jealous of Nik. I couldn't help but feel replaced in Britny's life, because Nik was now the first to know about everything, and I was a distant third or fourth. Britny and I stopped talking as much, and I don't remember the last time we hung out without Nik there. I love Nik(not like that, sickos), I really do, but I love my sister more than anyone or anything, and this readjustment is hard.
To add to these lovely feelings, my dad gave me the news of my cousin, Michael. He had stage four cancer throughout his body, and it clamied him last night at nine o'clock. Never before have I experienced such a mixed feeling of sadness for Michael and joy for Britny. While one amazing person was taken away from us, another was graciously given.
Sweet Counteraction.
When I got to my dad's house, my dog greeted me with such excitement and love. It's nice to know that through everything, she still loves me the same.
Thanksgiving dinner with my dad, Britny, and Nik was an experience I will not soon forget. Nik cooked the turkey three or four times, and it still wasn't all the way cooked. It was still delicious though, as was all of the other food he cooked for us. The best part? Eating on a pool table while watching Ferris Beuler. Did I spell that right? Not likely. No matter what we ate or how we ate it, I loved being with them, and they loved being with me.
When we got to my mom's house, there's no doubt that I was upset about missing dinner. But when I went into my little sister's room to put my stuff away, I saw that she had a framed picture of her and me on her dresser. That, my friends, is an awesome feeling!
I loved that I made my family laugh so much. Maybe my need to make them laugh is a longing for belonging, but either way, it feels amazing. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Are you ready for the sweetest of sweet? The part of my break that could make all of my heartaches subside?
Berkleigh Sherece Bledsoe was born at 12:15 a.m. on November 27th. She was 5lbs 1oz. and 18 in. long. I was asked to cut the cord, and Britny kept me right at her side, holding her hand. When Berkleigh came out, so did my tears. I've never cried so hard out of happiness! She is the most beautiful baby in the world, blackout no battle! Just looking at her brings peace and calm to my heart. She has the greatest mother in the world. Britny was so strong and amazing throughout this whole process. Not once did she shed a tear, and she had barely one dose of pain meds. If it were me, I would be doped up right when I got to the hospital. But my sister is strong. It was a surreal feeling knowing that her baby would be here within a few hours. The whole time, Britny looked so beautiful, and she still does. I don't know how she does it. Berkleigh is one lucky baby!

And that, jolly fellows, is my bittersweet Thanksgiving.

Soldier Boy Tell 'Em.

I have a pen pal. My elementary school dreams have finally come true.

My good friend Mike asked for a favor one day. Just randomly, out of the blue, asked for a huge favor(his words).
Y'all know I can't turn down an adventure.

So now, I am writing his good friend Garrett. He's at basic training in South Dakota or South Carolina or something like that. Maybe it was Mississippi. One can never be sure.

Basically, I wrote all about myself in my first letter. Don't worry, I was humble. I only told him I was the greatest, nicest, most awesome person ever. I left out how perfect and moviestar-like I am.

Nope, that's a lie, and I don't lie on Sundays.

It felt like it took f o r e v e r for him to write back. That makes sense though, because I'm pretty sure the Army doesn't send you to Basic Training to lay on fluffy pillows and write to girls using scented stationery and feather pens. I could be wrong though.

Then, I got this in the mail.



Page 1





Page 2

Page 3

Oh, dreams do come true!

This guy definitely lives up to my Pen Pal Standards.

Baby, baby, baby, OH.

I am going to be an aunt.

In one month - give or take a week - my sister is going to be a mom.

I am SO excited!

I sure hope that thing is a cute thing. Let us all pray she gets only her mother's genes. Otherwise....well, let's not go there.

By morphing Britny's and 'the donor's' faces together, the internet has told me that the baby will look somewhat like this, only better.

This will be one freaking adorable baby!

She is going to have the greatest mom in the world. Honestly, I couldn't think of someone more loving and caring like my sister. I can't wait for her to finally be a mother. This little girl is going to become an amazing person, because amazing people raise amazing kids.

At least that's how I see it.

And I'll be the kick-ass aunt to whom she always wants to hang out with.
I've already got 20 gazillion lullabies memorized to sing to her, and tons of stories in my head waiting to be told.

But alas, I haven't even revealed the best part!

The child is going to have the greatest name.
Berkleigh Sherece Bledsoe.


AH!!!!!

She just needs to climb out already.

I need a lil' lip balm.

Because it is getting cold.

The snow just needs to get here and stay...
So I can make one of these:

I've always wanted chill parents!

And do a lot of this:

And so I can dominate in every snowball fight.
It will happen.



You know what helps counteract the cold?

Sleeping in the hallway with The Hot Wall.

I'm pretty sure that's what cured Kenzie of her sickness. Sleeping under a wall of hot men.
It would definitely cure me.


Just for good measure, I'm going to share with the world the image that greets me every time I sit at my desk.

And to further ensure that your efforts have not gone unnoticed, you might want to throw in something minty.

Like lip balm.

Blogging is a right. Driving is a privilege.

Never attend a Defensive Driving class.
It was the l o n g e s t three hours of my life.

But, it improved my driving record.
I guess that's good.
Right?


I once heard that stargazing was quite an experience.
I bet whoever said that has never been tilegazing.
It's even more of an experience.


There is nothing like a weekend with your best friends. Honestly, there isn't.
Watching movies, eating junk food, watching more movies, eating slightly less junk food.
The best part?
Pokemon.
And webcams.

Dear parents,
This is where your tuition money is going.
Love, Sherece.


P.S. just kidding.

Define: sentimental.

1. mawkish in feeling: affected acutely by emotional matters, often to the point of mawkishness


2. mawkish in expression: displaying too much uncontrolled or self-indulgent emotion


3. appealing to tender feelings: experiencing, appealing to, or expressing tender, often romantic or nostalgic, feelings


4. expressing deep feeling: expressing deep, refined feeling ( formal )

The above defines this post.

Ye be warned.

                                                                                                   

"What are you thankful for?"

This question is flying around everywhere, and it's got me thinking about my answer. It's nowhere near easy to answer, seeing as most people have an endless list of things they are thankful for.
Like me, for example.
However,I feel as though I also have endless list of things I take for granted.
 
So here is my quest to discover what I am grateful for, what truely defines me, and what I couldn't live without.
Bear with me.
 

I'm thankful for my life. Really, I am. You always think about being thankful for family and friends and material things and experiences, but most people don't stop and think about the fact that without life, those things wouldn't exist. Life really is worth living for. To the fullest extent. Every sunrise is another day I get to enjoy, every sunset is another day I was alive for.
.....
Except for the last two days and the rest of the week, because I died Monday night and am now a zombie. But let's look past that.

I'm thankful for my family. The thing I take for granted the most. Without my mom and dad, I wouldn't be here. Obviously. Neither would any of my siblings.

Without my mom, I wouldn't be able to experience that mother-daughter bond. The one that makes you feel safe, secure, and so loved when you're with her.
I wouldn't know that feeling of being unnoticed, of causing disappointment, of the negativity that may not be constant but is so strong when it's there. My fear of failure wouldn't be so strong and prominent in my life. I am big and strong now because of those things.
Without my mom and my stepdad, I would have no reason to strive for perfection, because everyone else accepts me exactly as I am.
I love you, mom. I really do.
(All of that sounded harsh, but it needed to be said. No one listens to me like blogger.com does.)

Life without my dad. How would I survive that? No matter what I do wrong, I'm always A+ to him. He taught me to love unconditionally. He taught me that making mistakes doesn't make me a bad person. I will always remember these words: "We may be poor in money, but we will always be rich in love."
I am very mature in some ways because I learned from him, and I am immature in others because he showed me you're never too old to be young.
Without my dad, I wouldn't have witnessed firsthand the consequences and hardships that can come from big mistakes and procrastination.
I forgive easily and accept everyone, and I believe there isn't one person in the world who doesn't deserve to be loved.
I am myself because of my dad, and I am so thankful.

I have this sister whose name is Britny Elizabeth Bledsoe. A beautiful, kind, intelligent, protective, loving, caring, understanding sister that no other sister in the world even measures up to. She knows everything about me, even without me telling her. We understand each other. She loves me and my flaws. I would have been a completely different person right now had I not grown up with her by my side. She took every bullet, every blame, every consequence for me.
I could not ask for more.

I am thankful for my siblings. Connor, Shaniah, and Abbi. They are each so unique and amazing. Someday they will all grow up and be the people others wish they could be. Each one is as yielding as they are stubborn, as strong as they are weak, and as kind as they are cruel. Well, maybe they're all a lot more cruel than they are kind.
That, my friends, was a joke.
They make every day worth living, and each experience one to remember.
I hope they know how loved they are.

Becca, Kira, and Kenzie. My best friends. I never imagined I'd meet people like them here. Or anywhere.
I couldn't have asked for a better roommate. She and I are so different, yet so alike. We even finish each other's sentences. Precious! (You know who you are. YOU.)  *know this means more than it says!!!*
 I couldn't imagine someone who makes me laugh as much as Kira does. Before I met her, I never had a friend who could cause my sides to split every five seconds. We will be friends when we're 80, Kira. Each hearty laugh adds five years to your life, and at this rate, you're making me stay alive until I'm 750. So you better stick around for the ride.
I couldn't think of someone who cares as much as Kenzie. Never have I ever had a friend who always told me to 'buckle up' so many times! It's comforting to know that she wants me alive if I ever crash my car. Of the 20 gazillion people on this planet, there is no one like her.
They have made college so amazing!!
I can honestly say that....
I love them.



Ah, ha! You thought I would forget someone, didn't you?


Sillvia. The constant in my life. I fought with friends. I fought with family. I fought with homework. I fought with my stuffed animals.
I fought with my dog? False.
Unless you have a dog, there are no words to explain the bond between a dog and her owner. But we are more than just owners. We are our dogs best friends, their mothers, their 'number one's. And vice verca.
She is the most beautiful, smartest, greatest, most loyal dog anyone could ever ask for.
True.



And so you see, this was a very cliche, sentimental post.

I am telling you now, at the end of it all, that you don't have to read it if you don't want to.
You're welcome.

Let's Do The Time Warp Again?

I know everyone and their dog does a blog post about their Halloween.
But...
I've always wanted to fit in.
So here's mine.

Once upon a time, there was a really smart person who decided that there should be a day when everyone becomes someone (or something) else. This day would also be the exception to the "Don't take candy from strangers!" rule that parents burn into their childrens' minds.

But, hey, candy rules.

Eventually, Halloween evolved to be the day that people not only dressed as something other than themselves, but they also used it to show off a little more skin, if you know what I mean.

Then, in the year 2010(hey, that rhymed!), there were a bunch of girls at Utah State who dressed up for this big, awesome Halloween party.


I'm pretty sure they had the best costumes the world has ever seen.

Don't worry, you can see them too!

Circus Ringmaster

Miley Cyrus + Hannah Montana = Miley Montana





Lee Ving

A little fairy.



The whole fam damily.





So, yes. We were the best looking group of girls on Halloween.



Props to the most attractive guys, too.

A lacrosse player.

Wolverine.

The answers to your prayers...

 
I should pray more often.