Stay Still!

I have countless memories as a child sitting on the floor half asleep as my sisters tackled the daily duty of doing my hair. I would restlessly sit, as my sisters attempted to remove my knots, make the perfect ponytail, or french braid my hair. And when I thought I could be stealth, I would practically roll my eyes to the back of my head as I tried to catch a glimpse of "Arthur" to ease the pain. However, each attempt was shot down by a quick "stay still" and a readjustment of my head.

I am very grateful for each of those mornings. My sisters (and mom) had helped me through the infamous "spike", numerous "rat's nests" and thick enough hair to make one's arm tired by simply brushing it! Thank you ladies! Believe it or not, "Seventeen" is not why I am able to do my hair today!

Leftovers

The problem with there being fewer bodies at home, is that although there are not as many mouths to feed, the portions have not changed!

My mom has noticed this however, so she is testing the amounts. Resulting in some night of having too little potatos or too many peas! I think she is getting close to the perfect mark though!

The silver lining in all of this you ask? Well on those nights when my mom still cooks for 9 with only 5 at the table, not only do you get a great feast... but the next day you can eat the leftovers for lunch!

It's that time of year again...

The time of year, when there is so much chaos and excitment, but still such peace and contentment in the world.

Christmas; simply typing the word puts a smile on my face. Growing up in such a large family has supplied me with many memories of Christmas! Memories of trying to fit into one photo while putting our stockings on the stairs, and squishing into one room on Christmas Eve and finding myself being one of the last to fall asleep. Receiving new PJ's on Christmas Eve and always knowing that they are coming, but still feeling excited and unknowing. And my favourite; finding a little gift on our plate each Christmas dinner, and it being an ornament which shows what we have accomplished in the last year.

I am so greatful to have such memories. However, my siblings are growing up, some are even beginning to start their own family traditions, and I am starting to notice the gradual fading of dedication to these old ones. I am still going to grip onto these traditions with all my might though! And I can not wait till I have a family of my very own to start the magic all over again and introduce these memory builders to the next generation!

Two Sides...

In my very first blog post I told you how there are two side to being the youngest, well here is another one for you:

When you are the youngest, you have to watch every one of your siblings grow up and leave the house. And although it means more hot water in the morning, it is also very sad. Not seeing someone everyday really does make you appreciate and love them more. My older sister Sarah and her husband Tony packed their bags and left for Illinois yesterday for a whole year! Now don't read this and think that they were still living at home, but it was still sad to say goodbye... I guess it always is though.

But like I said earlier, there is always two sides to every story! The benefit of having your siblings move out... is that you get free lodging wherever they have decided to flee to! So far I have been able to visit: Hawaii, Calgary, Victoria, Arizona and soon Illinois!

So Sarah and Tony, I hope you are ready for a visit from you favorite little sister!

Nicknames

Growing up as the youngest of 7, I must say I have had my fair share of nicknames. From those one would expect, such as Hannah Banana, to those I don't even understand, such as Bush Baby!

However the cutest nickname I have been given has come from someone not older than me, it was given by my 2 year old nephew. This nickname is Hanni, and I must say that it has caught on quick, almost all my siblings call me it now.

But Oakley has not forgotten the rest of them though! We are now all known by:

Nate, Yaya, Noni, Katie (Oak can actually say her name), Bubby, Oel, and Hanni

Today was a Fairytale!

A few weekends ago, my sister and I went to the Young Women's Broadcast, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk "Your Happily Ever After" captured the heart's of everyone in the meeting!
My favorite quotes he said were:

"Isn't that what we all desire: to be the heroes and heroines of our own stories;
to triumph over adversity; to experience life in all its beauty; and, in the end, to live happily ever after?"

""Happily ever after" is not something found only in fairy tales. You can have it! It is available for you! But you must follow your Heavenly Father's map"

"Your wondrous story has already begun. Your "once upon a time" is now."

"And the day will come when you turn the final pages of your own glorious story; there you will read and experience the fulfillment of those blessed and wonderful words: "And they lived happily ever after""

Doesn't that just give you the biggest feeling of hope, love and excitment?

The Rest is Still Unwritten...

Truth be told, I have never been one for journaling. Year after year and month after month I would say to myself, "I will write in my journal everyday and record my life". Then day after day I would claim that there was little of importance to write about, and that it wouldn't matter if I knew this for the future.

I am quite disappointed in myself, I dream of having journals like my friend who could tell me what they did on any given date, or a novel like in "The Notebook" giving abundance of information about my life.

Lately I have been thinking about this, and have been trying to find some solutions. I have considered making an art journal, committing to blogging, and any other way to remember my days. But nothing seemed realistic or reasonable, or "non" time consuming. So, I have come to the conclusion that I will go back to the original ways, just a book and a pen, and hope that my story grows and grows!

I Sure Do Miss My Brother...

but it is hard to believe that in just 2 short months, it will have been a whole year!!

I Know It's Late, but...

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a great holiday season!