All The Things You Are (Pt. 1)

I wanted to take tonight and tomorrow to blog about two of my favorite people in the whole world
Mom & Dad 
aka Mommy and Daddy (yes, I admit I do still call them both that and I doubt it'll ever stop)

I know most people say "I have the best parents in the entire world!" but really, mine are pretty great- not to brag too much or seem really prideful but I just love them!
Let's talk about Mommy:
      She has only one brother [Uncle Steven], went to two different schools every year until her senior year of high school because her dad [Grandpa Gene] was in the Navy. One time while we were getting ready for the move from Bremerton to Spokane (Washington) I told my mom about how nervous I was because I figured all the other kids would dress differently or talk differently and she just said "Well, trust me- I know how you feel. My stomach used to get huge knots before my first day at a new school because I was afraid all the kids knew their times tables and I didn't." :) oh, how times have changed.

Mommy LOVES Mexico- birds not so much!

      I honestly can't explain how much my mom sacrificed for me and my sisters. She was involved in everything- I mean EVERYTHING and honestly she isn't the most social person, but still she always put herself out there helping with car washes and bake sales, selling raffle tickets, and not to mention chauffeuring the three of us around to a million different things: school, back home, dance or gymnastics or soccer or t-ball or volleyball or swimming lessons or cheerleading. She put us in everything and anything we wanted and honestly always gave us the choice. All this time she had an at-home daycare center at our house which means she wasn't only taking care of three girls but instead it was like ten girls and a boy or something. Looking back, I really have no idea how she did it all. As I grew up, she just continued to sacrifice all of her time for us. We moved about a half an hour away from my first house when I was nine which means we were a half an hour away from the studio I had been dancing at for the past 7 years (and my sisters were there even before me!) so instead of changing studios my mom drove us there and back every day of the week. I always slept in the back while my middle sister [Shelayna] would usually end up just screaming at my mom for no reason- you know, teenage years. they're the worst. They're good now though no worries :)

that's Shey and my lovely mom at my other sister's wedding :)

During high school, my dad got a job in Salt Lake and my mom stayed with me in Washington. For months they were apart and I know it tore my mom's heart strings. At one point after begging her to let us stay in Spokane she told me she would try to make it work so I wouldn't have to leave. Of course I changed my mind and we moved. I vowed to stay mad at my mom forever though.. but two weeks later she was my best friend. We had a common enemy- moving to Utah. Secretly we both hated it. Again, she drove me a half an hour to school every morning my junior year and even found a job that was by the school- she put MY SCHEDULE BEFORE HERS ALWAYS. She made it work so she would get off in time to drive me to dance and then home. After having the hardest year we finally decided it'd be best if I either moved back to Spokane and lived with a friend or stayed in Utah and transferred schools. And of course, here in Utah I stayed, and senior year couldn't have been better and my mom's relationship with me improved even more :) I know she totally "baby"s me because I'm the last of her kids in the house and she basically gives me whatever I want with restrictions of course but she bought me my own cell phone when I was a sophomore in high school which really was a big deal back then- my other sisters never had that or they had to pay for it themselves. She bought me my car, went around with me to look for the best college with the best dance program even though I didn't attend any we looked at. She's been with me through every dance recital, cheer competition, gymnastics meet, soccer game, school play, volleyball game, swim lesson, and hard time I've ever had. She has always taken my word for it- she trusts me completely, even when I'm so flighty in my decisions always changing my mind and being scared of commitment. One minute I'm dancing up a storm the next I decide cheerleading's better then I want to go back to dance then I want to be a psychologist then I want to move to LA. Seriously, I'm sure she's exhausted but somehow she keeps it up. And she always pushes me to have higher standards for myself- even though I haven't been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints my whole life, I feel like I have been because of her example and what she always asked of me: dressing modestly so boys would respect me, not speaking with a fowl mouth, treating others the way you want to be treated, having manners, work hard, do your best, get an education, follow your dreams and so much more. She supported me when I said I wanted to move to LA and become a professional dancer and I know from a kid's perspective, that's all we really want. Parent approval. I seriously love her. I can't wait to be like her- married to my best friend, motivating my kids to be the best they can be, and working so hard sacrificing so much.

Greatest thing I've taken from her is definitely this quote:

      If it's meant to be, it'll happen.

done and done. that has seriously stuck with me since I can remember and it has brought me so much peace. I love my mom and all she does for me. She inspires me without even realizing it.

who inspires you? have you told them lately? what and who are you thankful for?

please, do tell! I'm all ears and eyes :)

off to bed now dearies, it's a busy adventure-filled day tomorrow! 

Loves Hayley Lynn

(ps, more about Dad[dy] tomorrow! goodnight all!)