thebabyperks

At my church most of the youth go through Confirmation in 8th grade. It's crazy to think mine was already three years ago. This year it was my brother's turn. Again, it's crazy to think next year he will be going into high school and it will be my last year of high school **cue my mom crying** .

Hunter is a way better public speaker than I am. He talked about how he wanted to stay in youth group because as a 6th grader, a few specific 12th graders made him feel included/welcomed. He wants to help middle schoolers feel included like he was.

I've been putting my Polaroid camera to good use.

As some of you may know, I'm obsessed with stories: telling them, creating them, watching/reading them. I want to share with you one of the best life stories I have heard in a long time. 

It's Valentine's Day so I felt like it was appropriate to discuss what I love. There's a huge range of things that I love, and I hope you can see what makes me, me.

Number one in my life, God. The ability to love and worship God freely in the U.S. is something I will never take for granted. 


Number two is my family. I wouldn't be anywhere without them. I'm just going to post pictures of my parents and brother, but all of my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins are equally as important in my life.

My first One Direction concert. I took this picture

This was at my second One Direction concert

Today I was listening to the Taylor Swift album "Speak Now". This album was made in 2010, 5 years ago!! I don't know how five years could have already passed, it's crazy. 

In high school everyone talks about "getting out of town" and wanting to leave for college. I saw something this week that hit me. High schoolers want to escape high school because we see college as a way better situation. However college brings a whole other slue of challenges. You have to provide for yourself in a way you never had to before and BE RESPONSIBLE for yourself. Too many of us are dying to grow up and we forget that the rest of our adult life is ahead. I'm so guilty of this but as this year has progressed it's truly hit me that my last year of high school is coming up. I'm looking at colleges and narrowing down majors. I've started to do more in order to enjoy high school because eventually it will end and only be memories.

Taylor Swift in 2007

Taylor Swift has a song called "Never Grow Up" which documents going from elementary school where everything is great, to middle/high school where she's embarrassed of her parents, to now going to to bed in an apartment all alone. 

Taylor Swift in 2014

Todays society is all about go-go-go, we never stop and slow down to appreciate our accomplishments. I challenge you this week to slow down and appreciate who you are, what you've done, and your goals. If you don't set goals you don't have anything to motivate you.

I feel like hectic is the only word to describe my life at this point. My DECA districts competition was Wednesday, I didn't qualify for state but it was still an awesome experience. My last regular swim meet of my junior year was tonight, and GAC prelims are Tuesday with finals Thursday. I hope to post more often once swim ends. I really want to make more creative posts, I just need the next two weeks to go by and then I can.

I want to thank every single one of you who read my blog and watch my YouTube videos. Since Christmas I've reached 56 subscribers on my channel which is incredible. I have a lot of great ideas planned for videos and I'm excited to get started.

Swimming is going well and I'm feeling really confident going into GACs. I know I have the potential to drop time. I'll be swimming the 200 free, 500 free, and 200 free relay. I'm an alternate for the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay, but would only be able to swim one of them (if needed) because I can't swim more than 4 events. My goal time for the 200 is a 2:19 and my 500 goal time is 6:28. 

Tonight was also senior night for swimming. I've grown close with all of the girls over the season but especially Rachel. I know she might not read this but she's been the best friend I could have asked for. We stick together when we swim in lane one so neither of us is being lapped 4-6 times alone. She allows me to complain and has all of us laughing just about every single practice.

Maleah, Rachel, Lydia, Vanessa, Sarah (diver), and me

This was just a little update about my life and why I hadn't posted recently.

Until next time,
Taylor xx