On Friday we gave Chelsea the "surprise" 15th birthday party we had already joked to her about.   It was nothing fancy; Chelsea's the kind of person that you make some cake pops, tape some stupid notes like "1+5=6" and she'll be happy.
  So then the seven of us plopped on the couch with some blankets and skimmed through Netflix to find a scary movie.  We decided on The Others.  It's set right after World War II about a devoutly Christian woman who has to keep her giant mansion dark at all times due to a rare condition of her two children, who also claim to see other people around the house.  So we watched it, though even with how good the movie was, I may have had more fun watching almost every single one of the other girls as they screamed at the top of their lungs while burrowing beneath the blankets and every little thing.  And they thought I was the crazy one, just watching the movie like a normal person, keeping the thrill of those goosebump moments to myself!

 Then on actual Halloween {a stinkin' Monday} we were fortunate that the teachers didn't give us too much homework.  After cheer practice, I was lazy and just through on my cheer uniform instead of the Glinda dress.  But after the kids left, Taylor came over to hand out candy with us for an hour, than we trick-or-treated for an hour so I could collect cans for school, then we watched The Others as I insisted {though they weren't even scared, dang it!}

  It was all so fun to put on our creativity caps and celebrate a pointless holiday!

  I would like to say happy 15th birthday to my dear friend, Chelsea.   She is such an amazing Honors student, basketball player, and BYU fan.
  At lunch I wrote her a message with sugar cookies.  It was pretty sweet.
  Luv ya sistah!

  Today I tried out for a solo for Highland High School's Night of the Opera.  Ms. Scholtz said usually she prefers Senors to do it, but I tried out anyway, even though I think I was the only Freshman.   The song I chose was Les Miserable's On My Own, which I had accompanied by Sister Camac. Although I was nervous beforehand, once my lips parted the melody glided from my soul. I'm so glad I did it.  I have no idea what will happen now, but now my teacher knows who I am.  Instead of being just another one of her hundreds of students, I will be able to stand out, because she has heard me.
  And I think she liked me too.  After listening, she seemed to be surprised that I'm just a Freshman and happy that I can be in her choir for the next four years.
  I am too.
  I love music.

   The Band Perry concert!
   We even had front row seats!
  Just kidding, we had the front row of the side-facing seats, in the back.  But we had tons of fun rocking out to the songs.  The Perry siblings are really talented.

  Last Sunday my family went on a walk around the neighborhood with some of the dogs.  Although the 100-degree days of this week beg to differ, Arizona is finally cooling, leaving {at least last week} in a gorgeous atmosphere.  Taking a walk is one of those things that knit us closer together, as we talk, take turns walking the dogs, teach the little kids how to skip, and even sing.
  After the sun had slipped down, Sophie pointed up to the sky, which held a large, glowing moon.
  "Is that a full moon?"
  "No...," Rachel and I said in unison, having learned about how long it takes for the moon to actually be full in sixth grade.
   Mom shushed us.  "Yeah, Sophie!" she lied, just trying to please her and make her feel smart.
  But instead Sophie gasped, her eyes widened.  "No!  Now will I turn into a wooff?!"

  Last night my dad informed me that I had my yearly interview with the bishop this morning at 10:15.  Alright.  So, he went to his meetings like he usually does as YM President, and at 10:15 Mom dropped me off at the church.  But when I got there, no one had me come into the office.  Ok... So I just waited.  And waited.  And waited.  Finally a bunch of people, including my dad, came out of a room.
  "Hey Dad, what time did you say my interview was at?"
  "10:50."
  I let out a moan.  I would do that.

  How do I say this...? I got my Young Women's Medallion in April, but I just finished my last project...
  Don't worry, I didn't earn my Medallion dishonestly.  I had already spent at least thirteen hours on the project, and I only needed ten.  It was just a matter of spending another few extra hours finishing them completely...
  Anyway, I did my Integrity project by creating three pieces of artwork about Integrity. Although it took forever, I am pleased with them.

   Purple is the color that represents Integrity, so here I used oil pastels to show a young woman taking in the beauty of some purple flowers.
  This is done with colored pencil.  Pretty self-explanatory- an integritable young woman staying storng against the temptations of the world. I apologize for the cut-off words and the folds in  the paper.

  After shopping for a few hours, we went back to the hotel and stayed up till midnight playing games and eating more food.
  I guess the lesson of that day was never to underestimate the amazingness of my family.  They knew just how to make my fifteeth birthday the perfect day.

  I just did a roundoff-seven-backhand-springs.   That explosion of energy is so spectacular, especially with the heat disappearing and fall finally grasping the air.
  Last night I had to stay up till one because that nice little mixture of cheer, a choir concert, and three tests to study for.  Tomorrow I have two more tests, but I don't mind because it's a half day/the last day before fall break.
  And the tumbling that I just did proves that no matter how stressful life can become I can still go on, just as alive as ever.

  This weekend is 181st General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  For Seminary we were assigned to take notes, and would you believe how much easier that makes it to hear and understand what they are saying?!
  Here are some of the notes I took.  The talks given have been absolutely spectacular.

  School exhausts me.  Thank goodness for weekends.  And also for nights whose hours I can steal to help me study for tests.
  Can you believe it's October?  The fall break is almost here.