Tsunamis, Family, and Old Photos...

In light of recent events, i.e. the tsunami and earthquake (and after hearing about a woman crying over her BOAT getting torn apart in the bay area of Cali, while Japan has trouble getting water to drink and blankets). I've again realized just how lucky we are not only to be in America, but to be born in this generation.
To the left are pictures of my dad's parents, Wesley Dale & Ella Mae Steed, (upper left: Ella and Wes in his Navy Uniform, bottom middle: Ella & Wes in L.A. shortly after marrying, Upper Right: Wes & Ella in 1987, their 50th wedding anniversary) aren't they cute? :)
I suppose my Uncle Clyde has more time than me these days because he researches family history alot...he made our family a DVD including a slideshow of my Grandparents, a couple videos of family get-togethers(circa 1987-early 90s), and my cousin Susie interviewing my Grandma Ella. Grandma passed away when i was about 8 yrs. old so i knew her but not well, my Grandpa passed away a few years before i was born, so i only know stories of him. In the interview my Grandma was asked about her lifestyle when she was young, i had no idea the challenges they went through! I'm not exactly sure what the point of this post is, i guess just to show off these awesome pictures of my grandparents :) and to say that after watching the interview and seeing the recent events in Japan i have realized our time is precious with our family, so we should spend it wisely, you never know what stories or events you might miss. I don't understand how families can fight to the point of not speaking, i just always figured you should act like they'll be gone tomorrow, because they could be... I'm not trying to bring anyone down just saying appreciate your family they'll be your best friends your entire life...they kind of have to, so appreciate them, say "I Love You" to them every chance you get! Grandma and Grandpa, I Love You both, keep watching over me, I'm trying to make you two proud!

Starting A New Year & A Blog.





My mom and my bday are 2 days apart, so we shared a cake!



Yesterday I turned 20 years old. That means I am no longer a teenager...which in turn I suppose that means I need to be a grown up. Until about a month ago I wondered, being the youngest of 3 girls, if I would ever really even begin to grow up. So what happened a month ago? Well I had to deal with what I would chock up to be one of the hardest things I'd ever had to deal with, my superman indestructible hardworking dad went into the hospital, received emergency surgery, got released from the hospital about 5 days later and is now on what i can basically describe as...bed rest, he is (against what he would prefer) at the mercy of me and my mom for even the smallest of things. Although I'm so happy to report there is progress everyday we are still waiting to see if he will ever regain feeling in his feet. I have to tell you this so you will understand, I have never had to see anyone in my family go to the hospital except when my sister had her babies, so this was very hard for me and although i thought i was adequately "grownup" for being 19, i quickly realized i had a little more growing up to do. So this is me starting a blog about growing up, what better day to start than the day after my 20th birthday? I hope you enjoy it. There will be happy posts i promise!! Thank You, Em.