Kennedy's HUGS: Something you cannot replace.

Looking back on this whole experience, I'm just a bystander really. I didn't personally know Kennedy Hansen by any means. But Kennedy really did show how one person can impact so many people. It's crazy. It's cool. It's inspiring. I love it. I love being part of the journey. Even if I was another person on the sidelines.

Kennedy Hansen was diagnosed last summer with Terminal Juvenile Batten Disease. I'm not sure if any of us really would realize the impact Kennedy had on all of us. WHAT AN AMAZING YOUNG WOMAN. I honestly cannot even fathom the impact she's had on so many. I love her for that. Kennedy has left an amazing legacy.

Her family is simply amazing, faithful people. Again, I don't know them personally but they have inspired me to be a better person everyday. They took a trial knowing what would soon happen, and made something of it. They made us all have more faith in the unseen.

I've gone to school with Kennedy and Anna. I've known Anna more than Kennedy and Anna is such an amazing girl. She wants to share her sisters story. She's so brave and always looking up. I'm sure this whole thing was not easy for her, but she handled it with grace. I love Anna! She's an upbeat, amazing girl and has so much potential! She is truly someone I look up to. I'm so lucky to have gotten to know her. 

When I heard Kennedy had passed, my heart sank. I was so sad. But I didn't cry. I thought that I would. Especially at her tribute last night. But I came to a realization that I didn't because I knew she's happy up in heaven. She's no longer suffering, she's happy. She's giving hugs. I'm going to see her again. 

Kennedy's Legacy lives. It's quite remarkable how much she's impacted us all. It's countless to see how many people have changed their profile picture to Kennedy's HUGS green bracelet. Even more countless is the number of people who have posted about Kennedy and how she has changed them. That's truly spreading the Light of Christ in us all. 

Now onto the title of this post; last year at sophomore registration I remember waiting for one of my friends. Then I saw Kennedy. I had heard about her getting diagnosed, and then her and her mom and sister were walking towards me. I was nervous but said; "Hi Anna and Kennedy." Then it happened. Kennedy gave me a hug. My nervousness was all gone and I felt enveloped in what felt like heaven. That was an experience I will never forget. I'm quite positive that Kennedy didn't even know who I was. But she didn't care. 

She still shows love to strangers I'm sure up in heaven. Spreading love to ones who need it or need comfort. Giving love and hugs.

~Kennedy's HUGS is surely something you cannot replace. Kennedy made life Full of Smiles through the trials she faced. Kennedy makes us all want to be better and live life without complaint. She wants us to live life Full of Smiles and Hugs.~

Wrestling a Boulder.

My family has been in town this week which has been pretty stinkin awesome. It's nice to have everyone home and be together. That being said they come to church with us. Meaning my nephews come to church. Meaning church is crazy and fun! I helped out taking the twins out during sacrament because as Jake would say it; they were being "stink pots".

I love Sam and Luke. They make me love being an auntie even more so. They are so cute...but they're solid, chubby boys. One move from them and you're going down most likely. It's crazy stuff. It's basically like wrestling a boulder.

Weird analogy I know. But today I couldn't help but think how we in our lives can be wrestling boulders. It's a load we will carry but it can be hard at times. It's rough but we do it. We know it's worth it so we do wrestle it. But in the end who wins?

That's up to you. You can either set the boulder down and walk away or you can keep trying. A boulder can be a trial, temptation, or even something that makes you happy. We're all carrying our own imaginary boulders. But do you set yours down and walk away? Or do you keep carrying it because you know that even though it's hard now, it will be worth it in the end?

I know that if we all wrestle that boulder, then someday it'll be a small pebble, and we will win. We can get over the hard times.

Now I'm certainly not calling my nephews big or a burden by any means. Although I do believe in any situation we can make something of it. I admire all mothers and women. They are truly amazing to constantly go on each day and make something better of it. They know how to carry their boulders and not complain. I love that.

~I know life is Full of Smiles when we wrestle our boulder with faith. Life isn't easy, but it's sure worth that heavy load.~

Schools Out for Summer!

HAPPINESS AND SUNSHINE IS HERE! SCHOOL IS OUT!!! Good times are a comin'.

I'm so glad school is out! No homework for 3 months and I'm perfectly fine with that! The last day of school was perfect with the friends I love. It was awesome. Great way to start out summer!

Here's memories leading up to the last day:

This kid also graduated.

Took a selfie.

Love this girl. Best friends since kindergarten. 

Basically we didn't want to do independent reading (IR) in english...

Taking random selfies cause that's how I roll. 

Most of them didn't even notice...

Until now.

Got tackled by two kids...they're quite tough.

Made some faces with Carter...He looks like he wants to kill someone in their sleep.

Gave this crazy a bath... No idea where the blonde comes from. 

And some cray cray faces.

#spottheasian

Because all of these pictures are equally weird and deserve to be posted. 

Yes.

White people though. 

And Landon just appears ya know?

That would be the trademark thumbs up of Nolan. And that would be the face that Kitty (Tanner) makes 99.99999999% of the time. 

Just some random awesomeness. 

And again.

Taking selfies in our group crazy picture. 

We don't do normal. 

Impromptu lunch party. Love Britt's face. 

And some Mexican corn for ya. 

Kazia found the love of her life. 

We discovered long lost twins. 

Later that night selfie. I always figure someone will notice sooner or later. 

As in here. Chris is currently dying. 

In a box selfie. 

I actually have a video of me popping out of the box. Unfortunately, the blog doesn't like me and won't let me load it. Maybe someday. 

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER: With the fam. At Ikea. I figure if you lose your kid in that place, just have another one. Cause there's no way you're going to find them. It's like a blackhole. 

Got that auntie swag.

Swag.

Uncle swageth. 

Took all the grandkids out on the swing for some auntie time. Here's Lukers.

And Mikemister.

Unfortunately Sam Bam wasn't much of a fan, so we didn't get a picture of him. And Kaz has to be so cute so it's basically hard to steal her away for auntie time. 

~Summer is going to be good I can feel it! I'm so excited to make it Full of Smiles!~