DEFINING MOMENTS
When I got my puppy...
On May 16, 2016, my family got a puppy. It was a huge decision for my family, as we had never gotten a puppy before. We had two previous pets. My cat, Cassie, was born before I was, and my dog, Abby, was fully grown when we took her in. So, going out to pick out a puppy and raise it was a whole new thing. We found her on the internet, and called the Johnson County Humane Society. They told us that she was staying at a foster home, and we visited her right away. After we left her foster home, we had a huge family discussion about the responsibilities of having a puppy and all of the positives and negatives. We decided and went to pick her up the following weekend. I remember walking through the shelter doors and seeing her all ready to go. She was so cute (and still is). Ever since that fateful day, my family and I have learned many things in the process of raising a crazy puppy. We've taken on so many more responsibilities, and realized a lot of things about life. I wouldn't trade the experience I've had, and the relationship I've built with my amazing puppy. I've changed for the better, and become a lot more understanding towards people and animals.
On May 16, 2016, my family got a puppy. It was a huge decision for my family, as we had never gotten a puppy before. We had two previous pets. My cat, Cassie, was born before I was, and my dog, Abby, was fully grown when we took her in. So, going out to pick out a puppy and raise it was a whole new thing. We found her on the internet, and called the Johnson County Humane Society. They told us that she was staying at a foster home, and we visited her right away. After we left her foster home, we had a huge family discussion about the responsibilities of having a puppy and all of the positives and negatives. We decided and went to pick her up the following weekend. I remember walking through the shelter doors and seeing her all ready to go. She was so cute (and still is). Ever since that fateful day, my family and I have learned many things in the process of raising a crazy puppy. We've taken on so many more responsibilities, and realized a lot of things about life. I wouldn't trade the experience I've had, and the relationship I've built with my amazing puppy. I've changed for the better, and become a lot more understanding towards people and animals.
When my little brother was born...
On June 1, 2005, my little brother was born. His name is Brayden. I was a little nervous about being a big sister at first, but I soon became overcome with pure excitement. I even wore a shirt that said "I'm the Big Sister" across the front when I went to the hospital to meet him. I was so excited to meet him, and I couldn't wait to play with him. When we were both little toddlers, he used to let me dress him up in princess clothes and do fashion shows with me. Sadly, he grew out of that pretty fast. Then, we used to compromise and play together all the time. He would play with action figures while I would play with dolls. His super heroes would rescue the princesses and we would always have a happy ending. Now that we are older, we don't play with toys anymore, but we still hang out a lot. I even play basketball and baseball with him sometimes. He fills me in on all the fifth grade drama and we know everything about each other. We truly are best friends. Having a little brother has definitely changed me for the better. I gained a wonderful person in my life when he was born. He can be a pain, but I still see the good in him. Now, it helps me to see the positive things in everyone.
On June 1, 2005, my little brother was born. His name is Brayden. I was a little nervous about being a big sister at first, but I soon became overcome with pure excitement. I even wore a shirt that said "I'm the Big Sister" across the front when I went to the hospital to meet him. I was so excited to meet him, and I couldn't wait to play with him. When we were both little toddlers, he used to let me dress him up in princess clothes and do fashion shows with me. Sadly, he grew out of that pretty fast. Then, we used to compromise and play together all the time. He would play with action figures while I would play with dolls. His super heroes would rescue the princesses and we would always have a happy ending. Now that we are older, we don't play with toys anymore, but we still hang out a lot. I even play basketball and baseball with him sometimes. He fills me in on all the fifth grade drama and we know everything about each other. We truly are best friends. Having a little brother has definitely changed me for the better. I gained a wonderful person in my life when he was born. He can be a pain, but I still see the good in him. Now, it helps me to see the positive things in everyone.
When I made the Varsity cheer squad...
Just this April, I tried out for high school cheerleading. I have never been more nervous in my life. There was a cheer clinic on Friday, and cheer tryouts were the following Saturday morning at nine o'clock. At school on Friday, my mind was distant, and I could hardly focus on my school work. I couldn't stop thinking about tryouts. I caught myself staring off into space, lost in a world of future pom poms and bows. After school ended, I had to get ready for tryouts in the required attire. My mother was very comforting. She even bought me my favorite candy, a teddy bear wearing a cheerleading uniform for my school, and a card with a from-the-heart message written inside. I remember walking into the cheer room, and going to sit with the other girls. They were all upperclassmen, and I felt really out of place. I was the only soon-to-be freshman there. Thankfully, some other eighth grade girls arrived soon, and we stuck together. The clinic went well, and I only struggled a few times on the cheer and dance for tryouts. My idol, Haylie S. was leading the clinic, and she is graduating. So, her former stunt group was really disappointed about losing their flyer. We had stunting time, and Haylie's stunt group asked me to stunt with them. I was so excited. We excelled and I got to do a lot of stunts I'd never done before. The following morning, I was so nervous, I almost made myself sick. I didn't eat anything, and I felt like I was in a daze. When I arrived, everyone was just as nervous as I was, and the upperclassmen were being super nice. While we waited to be called in for tryouts, we all sat together and had some amazing squad bonding time. It relieved me from a lot of my nerves. I made lots of new friends, and couldn't wait for the season to start. I remember when they called us all up after tryouts to tell us the news. They first thing they told us was that everyone made either Junior Varsity or Varsity. That let us all relax some more. Then, the coach stood, and told us that she was going to list the members of the Varsity squad. I remember when she said my name, and the thrill I felt. Everyone was so excited and I could not stop smiling. All of my hard work and dedication had payed off, and I've never been more proud of myself. It was a truly amazing experience, and it helped me to realize that hard work does pay off.
Just this April, I tried out for high school cheerleading. I have never been more nervous in my life. There was a cheer clinic on Friday, and cheer tryouts were the following Saturday morning at nine o'clock. At school on Friday, my mind was distant, and I could hardly focus on my school work. I couldn't stop thinking about tryouts. I caught myself staring off into space, lost in a world of future pom poms and bows. After school ended, I had to get ready for tryouts in the required attire. My mother was very comforting. She even bought me my favorite candy, a teddy bear wearing a cheerleading uniform for my school, and a card with a from-the-heart message written inside. I remember walking into the cheer room, and going to sit with the other girls. They were all upperclassmen, and I felt really out of place. I was the only soon-to-be freshman there. Thankfully, some other eighth grade girls arrived soon, and we stuck together. The clinic went well, and I only struggled a few times on the cheer and dance for tryouts. My idol, Haylie S. was leading the clinic, and she is graduating. So, her former stunt group was really disappointed about losing their flyer. We had stunting time, and Haylie's stunt group asked me to stunt with them. I was so excited. We excelled and I got to do a lot of stunts I'd never done before. The following morning, I was so nervous, I almost made myself sick. I didn't eat anything, and I felt like I was in a daze. When I arrived, everyone was just as nervous as I was, and the upperclassmen were being super nice. While we waited to be called in for tryouts, we all sat together and had some amazing squad bonding time. It relieved me from a lot of my nerves. I made lots of new friends, and couldn't wait for the season to start. I remember when they called us all up after tryouts to tell us the news. They first thing they told us was that everyone made either Junior Varsity or Varsity. That let us all relax some more. Then, the coach stood, and told us that she was going to list the members of the Varsity squad. I remember when she said my name, and the thrill I felt. Everyone was so excited and I could not stop smiling. All of my hard work and dedication had payed off, and I've never been more proud of myself. It was a truly amazing experience, and it helped me to realize that hard work does pay off.