The End of Something Great

Yesterday ended a chapter of my life that has been a significant part of making me who I am...I played my last game of volleyball at the collegiate level. Volleyball has been a part of my life since the day I was born, and something that I have loved for about the same amount of time. My world revolved around the sport and truly made me into the person I am. I love this game and as I have reflected on why it means so much, I thought of these 5 reasons:

1. It strengthened the relationship between me and my mom. Without volleyball I wouldn't have had the opportunity to spend as much time with my amazing mom. The many drives multiple times a week to practice and on the weekends to tournaments, long drives to National tournaments, and just the late nights talking about the game. I love my mom and have gained so much respect for her as a person because of volleyball.

2. I have made some of my very best friends because of volleyball. This game teaches you how to work with other people and allows you to develop relationships with them. Over the many years of playing I have met so many people who have touched my life. Some have stayed and continue to be part of my life, some I see occasionally, and others I don't see anymore, but each one is special and played a role in my life.

3. It tested my strength. Not only physically, but mentally. I am a much stronger person because of volleyball. I have had teams I didn't particularly like and others that I loved. The challenge that each team brought with it prepared me for many situations in life that I wouldn't have been able to learn otherwise. I am strong!

4. It taught me self-respect. Confidence is something that girls struggle with all over the world. Volleyball gave me something to have confidence about. I believed in myself and that in turn gave me confidence to do other things. I respect myself as a person because volleyball taught me that I am a good person and deserve to have respect.

5. It brought me some of the happiest moments in my life, but also taught me it's ok to lose every once in a while! :) Most of the time you learn more from losing. As I look back across my life, some of my happiest moments are on the volleyball court. Each team I have been a part of has taught me something new. Seeing all of the hours of hard work pay off in beating a team that you aren't supposed to beat is the greatest feeling in the world. My junior year of high school beating our rival Sky View was great, in club finally beating that team that it seemed like you could never beat, my first year of college beating Northwest who was ranked #17 in the country at the time, and this year beating the College of Southern Idaho, the defending National Champions, in 3 games and having to come from behind to win was so satisfying. The ultimate moment was in the 3rd place game at the Junior College National Tournament. We KILLED Salt Lake Community College in 3 games to finish as the 3rd best team in the country. As I looked around at all the girls on and off the court, knowing their sacrifices and hardships, the love we had for each other and the game, and knowing that we had just won was the greatest feeling volleyball has provided me.

Club 2008-2009

Senior Year

WWCC 2010

As I close this chapter in my life I think of the quote, "Don't be sad because it's over, smile because it happened." So today I smile because volleyball has given me some of my greatest blessings. This game will forever be a part of my life, but now it just won't be the center of it. Thank you to all of you who have been a part of this chapter of my life. I can't wait to see what this new one has in store for me! :)

Say...

I love today. I love talking with people I don't normally talk with, catching up with friends, but most of all being taught by people who don't even know they are teaching me. The spirit was so strong at church today and it was just what I needed, and it was all mostly thanks to people I have never talked to.

If you feel like you have something to say...say it. You never know who might need to hear it. No matter how hard it is for you to say. So today I am thankful for those people who said something. You blessed my life and you probably won't ever know it.

Today made me think of this song. "It's better to say too much, then never to say what you need to say."

Time flies when you're having fun...

Honestly I kind of hate all those dumb sayings, but I must agree with this one. Where the heck did March go?? Time is moving faster and faster I swear. March was a good month for me...took a few trips, spent time with family, and got closer to figuring my life out.

For Spring Break I went to Denver with my roommate on a recruit trip. We had a great time getting lost, ending up in the ghetto where I think we were the only white people, and just chatting along the way, but it wasn't the place for me. I came home and had a few fun filled days with friends and family. Started a prank war, talked the night away with my best friend, and got to spend a lot of time with lots of people I love!

After all that...I know blah, blah, get to the point...I decided to come to Utah State. Not sure exactly how that is all going to work out or who is going to pay for me to go to school, but it's the only place that felt right. So the decision is made and now my life better start falling in place...

This past week I spent with my family on their Spring Break! Lucky me...I got 2 Spring Breaks. I think this one definitely tops the first one though. My family is the best! We celebrated my little brother's 7th birthday along the way and soaked up some sun. We got to spend time at my favorite place, Las Vegas...don't ask why, but I just love it, the lights, the amazing hotels, and of course the Coke Factory...best Coke in the world in case you wanted to know! I also conquered a fear of heights and rode one of the rides on top of the Stratosphere...and I loved it! Haha.

March was a great month and if April keeps up the way it has this first week I will be one happy girl. In 4 days I will have gone 6 months without my missionary. Only 18 more! Crazy! I am so proud of him and everything he is doing. He has grown so much, but he's still the sweetheart I fell in love with. He will be back before I know it. Gotta love life, even when it decides to hates you, keep smiling! :)