Giving Thanks 7/30

November 7// Every single day I am thankful for my friends, but today I am thankful for easily being able to spend time with my friends. Let me elaborate...

if you want a tongue that red, hit up sonic for a watermelon slush

Lately, senior year has been hitting me hard. From senioritis to college stress to coping with the fact that this next year is going to bring so much change, it's just been emotionally draining, some days more than others. Yesterday, I had a choir festival up at CU. I'm applying there (just have to finish my writing supplement!) and as I was watching the students around campus, I just couldn't grasp the fact that that would be me in a year, maybe or maybe not in Boulder. I felt that it was so confining- you live on a campus where you spend the majority of your time, in a dorm room, where you spend even more time, with not too many places to go. Usually you don't bring your car with you so if you want to leave, it's not always so simple. You are independent, totally on your own. If you need more shampoo, you have to go get it, not just ask your mom to grab it the next time she goes to the store. You are on your own for three meals a day (sure, you eat with friends, but it's all up to you!) and there's no one nagging you to go to bed when it's super late. It's change, it's different. The thing is, I'm usually a very independent person. It's one of my best qualities in my opinion. But this is just so different. There's still lots of time though so I'm soaking it all in. Anyways, back to time with my friends

I hadn't seen the lovely face of Riley (in person) in a whole week. I don't even know how that happened, but it did. Snapchatting just isn't the same. This whole year, I feel like I never see Riley because we have no classes together, but we luckily have off periods together! This past week was just a busy one, so Riley invited me on a date to Sonic so we could catch up. We had half-priced slushes and limeaides, I cleaned my car, we watched funny YouTube videos and chatted. It was simple, but exactly what I needed. These small but fun times together are cherished because I know that in the next year, it's very likely that it could be much longer than a week before I see Riley (or any friends for that matter). I don't want to forget how special it is to be able to have to my best friends so close.

xo
Hannah

Giving Thanks 6/30

November 6// I am thankful for cross country. SO so thankful! I can't even believe that the season is over- time flies when you're having fun. I grew so much from cross country in so many different ways and I am grateful I got to experience something so great in high school. Even after all those nights of icing and struggling to even get up the stairs, it was so worth it. I feel so privileged to have had the best coaches and the most supportive team a girl could ask for. There is so much I want to say about how thankful I am for cross country and how much I loved it... I'm feeling a cross country season recap post coming very soon!

THAT'S RIGHT, VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY WHAT WHAT NO BIG DEAL OR ANYTHING

xo
Hannah

Giving Thanks 5/30

November 5// The first of many red cups. Nothing is more wonderful than a surprise peppermint mocha from my mother. I swear there is something about drinking from a red cup that makes everything all the more special and delicious.
 

xo
Hannah

Steadfastly Yours

the roots of a sequoia// stand firm like the roots of a sequoia; be strong, bloom where you are planted, be not moved.

If there's one thing I've learned about truly being you is that you have to learn to accept that not everyone will like you.

Someone once said "You could be the sweetest peach in the whole wide world but there's always going to be someone who doesn't like peaches." That's the truth of all truths.

"Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me" is probably the world's biggest lie. Because words are what hurt the most. We go around desiring the approval of others. But why? You have to ask yourself, "Do I like me?" If the answer is yes, then perfect! Life is a lot easier now. If you like who you are, then what's the point of trying to be someone else?

I think receiving negative criticism has been one of the most useful tools of life. My feelings have been hurt more times than I can count. It's not because I'm sensitive; it's because I'm human. You can't please everyone, and that's a lesson you need to learn early on in life. So welcome the haters! If you don't like me, so be it. Having haters means that you stood up for something you believed in. The best part about these people in high school is you get to ask yourself, "Will these people be actively involved in my life in one year?" One year from now, who knows where I'll be. I could be in Boulder, Spokane, Eugene, Denver, who knows!  But I can almost guarantee the people who give me grief now won't be with me. The people who I love, the one's that matter most, will still be there for me. That's what matters.

In a recent college writing supplement, I was asked what sets me apart, what are my best character qualities. These questions are always really hard for me to answer. It's like they want you to brag about yourself, which we've always been taught is wrong. A little tip an admissions counselor once told me was to have your parents or close friends answer the question. What makes you great? My mom, dad, aunt, and grandma all said the same thing- I stand firm. I'm independent, I make plans, I make sure they happen. Whatever curve balls life throws you, just stand firm. That's my only advice. Be unwavering, steadfast in your beliefs, true to who you are.

The moral of this blog post is cliche, it's teenager, but it's something I wish I would have realized much earlier. Do not change for anyone. Ever. You are you for a reason, be unique. As the big, bad future is put in front of me, it's time to choose what matters.

Best friends that are loyal, honest, and true.
Family that bugs you about everything but would do anything for you.
Little daily gifts like Starbucks, going to bed early, and yummy candles.
Knowing what you stand for.

xo
Hannah

30 Days of Giving Thanks

November is my second favorite month of the year, right behind December of course. I love that there is still the crispness of the fall while the frost of winter begins to slowly settle in. I love that the holidays are so close and the excitement is building. I love that it's the month of Thanksgiving, my second favorite holiday to Christmas. Thanksgiving is what sparks in us all gratitude that we've had all year long. It's the time where we celebrate our family, friends, and the little gifts of life. Last year on the blog, I did a week long Giving Thanks series and I loved it. It was the perfect time for me to reflect on how there is always, always, always, ALWAYS something to be thankful for. This year, I want to do it again, with a slight twist!

Now that Macky has a blog, it's fun to have a blogging buddy. So Happily Hannah and Today is My New Favorite Day have teamed together to create 30 Days of Giving Thanks. Each day, the goal is to recognize something you're thankful for. Even the smallest things are things to be thankful for.

I'll play a little catch up...
I am thankful for~




November 1// Laughter at pictures of 5evas parents hanging out together
November 2// A fresh haircut, 5 inches shed
November 3// A baby brother who is now 15! Happy birthday Brandon boo
November 4// Mackenzie who came and rescued me for a little Sonic and some talking therapy

I'll start adding pictures with these posts tomorrow, but please join Mack and I! Link up, hashtag #hm30daysofgivingthanks (lol jk we're not that pro), join our November party!

xo
Hannah

Halloween

Being in bed with ice around my head is not really that fun. Unluckily, I feel sluggish, disgusting, and my mouth keeps bleeding. Luckily, I haven't gotten very swollen, I've watched 31 episodes of The Office (correction, 41 episodes), I've taken some nice little naps, and my mom has made me a ton of mashed sweet potatoes and homemade applesauce (my favorite!) I also have had a ton time to think and blog, so here is my second blog for the day (I feel like such an overachiever)

Halloween was great. It started off with a dash of anesthesia, 4 teeth removed, and bloody gauze in my mouth. Throughout the day, I took some infinity naps, ate about two bites of a milkshake, was visited during 6th off, and watched The Office. Then came the evening festivities.

Sometime around 6 (I really don't actually know when, I was out of it) the hoodlums came over.

mack with big babe liv

they're good fill-in big sisters

some dry ice and me sans wisdom teeth

aren't we adorable?

scooby doo crew

scooby doo crew: college years

adorable

love triangle

so presh

The evening consisted of pictures, laughter, and me being really, really drugged. I was white as a ghost as the result of barely eating and being loaded up on Vicodin, so I ate some sweet potatoes (or as Riley thought 'some nasty, disgusting baby food' and Jessica thought 'smashed pumpkin'), saw some trick-or-treaters, and went to bed by 9. It was my craziest Halloween yet... jk. Let the countdown begin until I can eat all the candy I stole from siblings!

xo
Hannah

When Everyone Else Catches Up

via

Happy day after Halloween! Do you know what today is? The day the rest of the rats of the world decide it's time to celebrate Christmas. Newsflash- I've been celebrating all year. The full-time Christmas music listening began in September, the first Christmas tree went up in my room in July, the Christmas Wallflower has been plugged in since the October, the Christmas cheer never ended.

With only 54 days to go, everyone catches up and is ready for the best day of the year. Starbucks has their red cups now (what makes those so darn special?), Target has their Christmas section up, Hallmark Christmas movies begin tonight, and little kids start making their lists. It's sort of exciting that everyone else is getting excited.

What will make it more real though? Next Monday, when it snows. There's something special about the first real snow of the season... it's like the world is saying it's ready for the new peace and happiness the holidays bring. So until then, crank up the Christmas Pandora, light a cranberry or balsam candle, and get ready because it's officially THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

xo
Hannah