It's summertime and I feel alive

 

Because being sixteen is the best, yet: 

(In an effort to realize all the many blessing I have, 

I am making a list of some of my favorite moments from this past year.)

• Laughter. I think that is what I will remember most about this year. The real, raw, heartfelt and really joyful laughter that floats in and out of memories like butterflies.
• Re-decorating my room and arranging it just the way I like. (hence the pictures.) (p.s. I firmly believe that sleeping with teddy bears or any stuffed animal keeps the gray hairs away.)
• Summertime and getting to paint my nails a darling shade of aqua.
• Music, music, and more music. This song is great, by the way: Air Traffic // Owl City
• Frequent discussions with my family and random explosions of laughter that completely rock our world. Yes, Ihavethebestfamilyintheworld. 
• My big brother buying me a typewriter. gasp. I still have not quite gotten over the shock. 
• Getting to spend nearly a week with really good friends and making so many memories it would be difficult to write them all down, but here are a few: 

 (a.)  Being the victim of a prank. A really, really good prank and one I will never forget. It was hilarious and ridiculously scary at the time, and now I can only laugh because no one has ever been able to pull a prank on me like that. Surprise!

           

 (b.) Choreographing our own dance to this song. It was so much fun and I think that there is nothing quite like dancing until you are out of breath in front of a wall that is a mirror.

• Seeing an adorable Mike Wazowski in the mall and asking Mom if I could have it. ;)
• Playing duets with my teacher at her church and feeling my fear of crowds slowly fade away.
• Lots of volley ball games and achieving one really good spike.
•  Finding the courage to get my ears pierced again. (it hurt.)
• Surprising my bestie at her church and seeing that beautiful smile on her face. not to mention the talking and hugging and general catching up that we did. :)
• Finding so many precious gems in the Bible and getting a tingly feeling in your stomach because it is just so amazing and the words are so beautiful.
• Talking with Dad and discussing writing. (he's the best.) 
• Getting into deep conversations with my friends and feeling like your heart has been expanded and you've been given so much food for thought after leaving. 
• Writing, writing and more writing. 
• Fourth of July and water fights. 
• And so many watermelons I think that has become my second middle name: Amy Jane Watermelon Metien. What do you think? 
• Having people think that my good friend and I are cousins. Cousins? Why sure, we are related... sort of. Does spending time with them every week and knowing their house so well it's like my own, and ending each others sentences count? I think yes.

 I have smiled and been overwhelmed with happiness this year; I've also gone through some difficult things and God has had to shine His light into my life and teach me that I'm the sinner. I've made mistakes and said things I shouldn't have and learned valuable lessons from it. I've found the courage to pursue my dreams and go wherever He wants me to. (yes, I've decided against studying in Florida and instead am going to the wonderful CSU.) I've decided that Owl City is my favorite band and that I love waking up to the soft kisses of the sun. It's been a beautiful year and one of the craziest of my entire life. So here's to the past, the present and to the future. (God's already there by the way)

Thank you for all your support with my writing, and the sweet comments you leave for me; for praying for me and being such an amazing blogging family. You guys are really something. You know that, right?

Yours truly,
  Amy.

p.s. I have updated most of my pages. (the links are right under my profile.) oh, and just because it's summer and because it is always a Good Time, check out this song. :)