Memories.

I opened my eyes to the leaves beginning to change to the colors of fire and blanket the ground like snow on the Sierra Nevadas. I begin to reminisce about my favorite memories. Waking up early at my grandmas house to smell the cold and crisp morning air filling my lungs, while I look out the window to see the earth gently arising from its sleep. I remember opening up all of the windows in my grandmas house during cold winter nights only to comforted by the warmth of my blanket and the crackling of the fire.  I cherished the nights that I got to go to my aunts house for a sleepover because I knew she would make her famous mexican hot chocolate. It was so rich and thick; something you could never get out of a package. I longed for the feeling of sand between my toes and the waves crashing against my body as I stood there sinking a little more as the tide went out. I looked out and saw dolphins swimming by the surfers and playing in the water. Its was magical to see that in their natural habitat. Life has been an adventure with amazing moments and moments that have made me stronger. The quote that I live by is “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” and I plan on doing just that.

A Letter Lost In Time.

Dearest Little Lexi,

                          Don’t ever look back; always look in front of you. Times are going to get tough but you can handle it. You are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Don’t let other people create your moods because you create your own happiness. You will have your first heartbreak but you will end up being friends again in the future, just give him time. Don’t rush into anything and take lots of pictures. I know that you are dying to grow up but just stop and take a step back every once in a while and just enjoy it. Turn every bad memory into a good one. Play a lot of sports and try everything at least once. Keep good friends in your life and toss away the bad friends because no good can come from them. Never talk to a best friend’s ex, even if they say its okay because nothing is worth risking a friendship. Boys come and go but a true friendship is forever. No matter how irritating dad gets, you are his first kid, just take a step back and remember that he loves you. Don’t let fear stop you from taking risks and living the way you have always wanted. Don’t be afraid to stand out in a crowd. I know that you love to be the center of attention but sometimes let other people have the spotlight. Embrace your differences and don’t read too much into things. When you and dad get into an argument in the morning never get out of the truck without saying I love you. Remember you can’t change your family no matter how badly you want to so embrace the one that you have and love them unconditionally. You can do anything you want in this world so shoot for the stars and never let anyone tell you that you cant do it. Prove people wrong when they don’t think you can or when they don’t believe you because it’s great to know that you surpassed their expectations. Always try in school even though you don’t think that it matters right now. You can take this advice or leave it; Its up to you. Just know that even if you don’t your life will still turn out okay. You will have amazing friends and even though you will have the same family, you will all be pretty close. I hope this helps lexi.

Love,

Older Lexi:)

Eyes Wide Open

Today I went outside and I noticed that the leaves are already starting to fall. I look forward to seeing that all year. Don't get me wrong I love summer but it's just not the same. When I think of fall I think of trips with my WHOLE family to Apple Hill and to the Pumpkin Patch. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins would all make the drive and meet up. I wish that I could go back to those times. The laughter, caramel apples, and the smell of hay. It didn't smell so great at the time but I would smell that for the rest of my life if I could go back one last time. Since then my family has vastly grown apart and my grandma has passed away. I remember riding the hay ride with her and us laughing at all the pointless things. We would laugh at how little kids are fighting or how every time we would go over a bump everyone on the truck would go up or even how the exhaust from the truck smells so bad. Isn't it funny how its always the little things that make the moment memorable? My family continues to go back every year but never with the whole gang. It never compares to the times that we all went together and I'm positive it never will. When I see the leaves start to fall I think of how much I miss those times, but at least I have the memories:)