Today is my fourth Sunday at the Y.  Gee whiz... Time flies.

So many exciting things are happening everyday. Since I can not possibly spill out everything right now I will just pick one thing to expound upon.

 Roomies
My roommates are so much fun! We have McKenzie, Mo, Emily, Shanna, and Kaylee. Each beautiful girl is unique and so funny in their own ways. Luckily we have not really gotten on each others nerves at all. In fact we are already acting like a little family. We don't feel awkward telling someone to do their dishes or take a shower. haha
We have had many adventures together.

• Zumba (Tons of fun until you have to hike up the dreaded RB stairs)
• Nerf Gun (Whenever someone gets asked on a date we shoot the boy multiple times and then have a sit down chat to make sure he is in line... haha )
• Meals (We love to make food for each other and try new things)
• BYU creamery ice cream :)
• The duck pond (cute little pond with a little waterfall)
• Singing songs at the top of our lungs
• Quoting Nacho Libre at every opportune moment (It's Fan-tah-stic) 
• Drinking our milk out of our gallon containers NEVER out of a cup. Why dirty another dish right?
• Dancing in the rain (We had a downpour the other day and decided the best thing to do was go out and enjoy it. We danced, we laughed, and we jumped in numerous puddles. )

McKenzie is my direct roommate.If I had to describe Kenz it would be "spunky." McKenzie is one of those girls that you get along with immediately. From day one we have been able to talk and really get to know each other. I absolutely adore her personality and excitement for life. A moment with McKenzie is never dull because within seconds you are laughing and enjoying yourself. 

Mo is actually short for Mogene. If I had to describe Mo it would be "hardworking goofball." Mo gets up at 5:30 every Mon-Fri to be at work by 6 am! That is so amazing to me! Not only that, but then she still goes to class and has time to party with us! Mo is so much fun and absolutely hilarious. When she is not at work or class she loves to sing opera and dance around the apartment with me and it is very entertaining. 

Emily is a really cute blondie that has the cutest clothes. I honestly think I tell her I like her outfit everyday. If I had to describe Emily it would be "Multitasker." Emily has the capacity to do so many things at the same time! She goes to school during the week and spends the weekend at home. She has time for homework, just hanging out with the girls, and she makes delicious lookin' food all the time. 

Shanna is the most adorable girl you will ever meet. If I had to describe Shanna it would be "silly." Shanna is absolutely obsessed with the movie Anastasia. More specifically she is obsessed with Rasputin. She will walk around singing "In the dark of the night" everywhere she goes. It has gotten to the point where I have learned almost all of the words to that song just from hearing her sing. haha Shanna loves to mess around with everyone and is always saying something funny. Everyone just thinks she is the most adorable Rasputin enthusiast you will ever meet. 

Kaylee is wonder woman. If I had to describe Kaylee it would be just that "wonder woman." Kaylee plays the piano like a genius, she sings, she cooks, she is motivated in school work, and she is constantly being asked on dates. She is like the cute little lady out of a pride and prejudiced novel. At first she was sort of quiet, but now she is just as crazy as the rest of us.   

Basically, we are all unique, awesome, beautiful daughters of God. We love being together and attending BYU. I am so happy that I have gotten the chance to meet each of them and I know we have many more adventures to discover together. 

 

Momma

Mothers Day
Everyone has a special spot in their heart for their mother.There is no doubt in my mind that I have my mom for a reason. I was placed in this family and one of the big reasons for that was so I could have my mom. 

There are several reasons why my mom is the best and I am going to share a couple.

1. My momma is very honest with me. Growing up I have always known that if I want a sincere opinion I can ask my mom. She will tell me what she really thinks. I always really enjoy talking to my mom for this reason. Occasionally I will just go into her room and we will talk about my day, my future, and my goals. I know she really cares about how I feel and I know that if I ever need someone to talk to I have my momma.

2. My momma is the biggest goof ball ever. No matter what is going on my mom never fails to make me smile. Every year we go camping as a family trip. Last year my mom decided we needed to come up with a campfire song to sing as a family. From there she proceeded to come up with songs and random camping memories to sing about. I'll be honest and say that I do not remember the song now, but we were having sooo much fun coming up with the words! We were laughing and thinking of all kinds of good memories from previous years. This is just one example, but my mom is always doing things to make her family laugh. We all really love it.

3. My momma is creative. Growing up my birthday parties were the coolest things ever. I had an awesome homemade cake with pink swirls of delicious frosting. I had all kinds of games and activities. There was always a craft to do that was easy but really fun. My mom always took the time to make to feel like a little princess on my birthday and everyone (including me) loved it. She has carried this creativity into her preschool classes and even her church callings. One of my favorite things are all the scrapbooks she has made for each of her children. It is really fun to go and see all the pictures she took when everyone was little. You would think that one day she would run out of creative juices but she just keeps on going. :)

4. My momma has taught me to always do your best. My mom will never do something half-way. She has taught me the value of finishing projects and doing your absolute best. The best example of this would probably be in learning to correctly clean the bathroom. If the bathroom is not cleaned correctly she will not hesitate to tell me to do it again. I cannot even say how many times I have had to re-do chores because they were not done very well. It was terrible at the time, but now I can do most things the first time. haha I am so grateful for her example she has shown to me. Right now she is the Relief Society President and she always makes sure that she is doing all she needs to be doing. It is not an easy calling, but she knows how to figure out what needs to be done and then she does it to the very best of her ability.

5. My momma is one of the most thoughtful people you will ever meet. She is always looking for ways to uplift and bless others. I cannot even imagine all the time she puts in thinking about each of her children's birthdays, my dads birthday, family vacations, and Christmas. Then there is all of our extra curricular activities, school, and church. With all of the things my mom has to do she still finds time to just say "I love you." She has time to make fresh bread just because we love it. She writes us notes of encouragement and is never too busy to talk.


If I had to pick only one thing to say about my mom it would be that I know she loves me. I hope she knows just how much I love her too.

Happy MOTHERS DAY! :)

Molahiette

Just went to Nationals this last weekend. If you have a Facebook then you know alllll about it. In short... it was one big awesome weekend filled with highs and lows. Definitely some moments that will never be forgotten. I can't explain the feeling of hearing MOSES LAKE over the microphone. Or even the feeling when the curtain opened revealing the finals floor as the crowd goes absolutely crazy. I'll never forget performing on the brightly lit national finals floor; my last drill performance. I remember at the end of that kick number I just looked around at all the people and my team. I was so happy. I felt so accomplished and proud of everything we had done together.. I was so filled up with joy that I started laughing. Right there on the nationals floor. I couldn't help it! I laughed out loud and just took in the feeling. (If you look at the video and watch me you can see it) Walking off that floor felt good. I did my absolute best and I loved every second of that crazy kick number. (So did the judges)

Throughout my time being a MOLAHIETTE I have learned a lot about myself.

It all started freshman year. I'll admit I was shy.. and I really didn't think I was a good enough dancer to make the team. However, I knew I had to put myself out there if I wanted any chance. So tryouts came along.. I worked pretty hard all week. I went over the routine.. I had my mom watch me. I did it in the mirror. I was ready.
The big day arrived! I performed.. and completely messed up the end.. It was the part I had practiced the most!!! I knew that stinkin part just a couple minutes before, but I froze. It was so completely sad. I was lucky and got put on the team as an alternate.
That first year is tough. Your muscles are sore. You are tired. You are trying to get use to high school. Any first year member will tell you the same thing. I do not regret being an alternate at all. It was a great year, but I was a freshman. haha enough said.
Sophomore year was infinitely better and it was all because of one very important lesson.

CONFIDENCE.


That first year I learned that confidence can come in two different ways. The first way (and the more commonly thought of ) comes when you know absolutely everything you need to know. It is like going into a test and barely having to read the questions. It is being prepared and excited for what is coming up.
The second one is the notion of "fake it till you make it."
Basically I learned that year that being nervous is just a part of performing. Each performance I got that feeling of butterflies all over my stomach. The important part of being nervous is being able to embrace it and allow it to propel me forward. I had to learn to paste that smile on my face and not let anyone know how terrified I was of making a mistake. Fake it until it becomes a reality. :) It is amazing how I could trick myself into having confidence.

So sophomore year I put this idea into motion. That idea has carried me all the way to my senior year. :) So many times people will say "Don't be nervous!" but sometimes I think saying that only makes you more nervous! Instead think "Embrace you fear!" Take in on! Being nervous and being in front of all those people produces adrenaline. If I was completely calm I wouldn't have nearly as much power to my performance!!  Before every performance I still get that butterfly feeling. I can't stop it from happening and I don't want it to go away. So instead of fighting it I think "Yes, I am nervous, but that is not gonna get in the way of this amazing performance. Smile. And go kill it." It works.. try it. :)

There were moments when I thought I could never perform a kick number and actually smile. I thought I would never be able to do a triple turn. I thought I would never be able to nail my headstands. Each time I would think of Lori saying "HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?" How far was I gonna push myself? Again. Fake it til you make it. Don't give up on yourself. Your mind is absolutely magnificent. If you tell yourself you can do it sooner or later you will start to believe it.

Earlier this year I thought I would be devastated when Drill ended. I couldn't imagine not having practice, or my family of drill teamers, or my wonderful coaches...(I always knew I would never miss morning practice.. :P) but I realized I have nothing but wonderful memories and lessons to take with me.


Drill Team is over, but my life is just getting started. I am gonna keep doing what I do best.... Smile and show myself and the world I got this.

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.
~Norman Vincent Peale

The beginning

Hello world of blogging. I started this blog in preparation for going away to college in June. June 18th to be more exact. Even though it is only a few months before I was planning to go to college it feels like I am suddenly being thrown into "adult"-hood. Anyway, before I keep rambling on about my fear/excitement/Idontknowwhatsgoingon about college I should probably properly introduce myself. :)

McKayla Earl is my name and I am one of the most easy going people you will ever meet. Different people have very different views on my personality. Some think I am always really quiet while others find it hard to shut me up. Truthfully, I just go with the flow. At dance or drill team I keep to myself. At a party I'm laughing and singing some random song at the top of my lungs. You never really know what will happen... ;)

As I mentioned I am a dancer and I love it, but that doesn't define me. I love to do all sorts of things. I enjoy cooking things and playing the piano. I write in my journal almost everyday and love to be outside. Much to the disapproval of others I find it hard to not sing along with the radio in the car. What can I say? If its a good song I just can't help myself. Luckily most of friends will sing along with me so as long as the volume of the song is high enough everyone is happy. Despite what most people think the book is almost allllways better than the movie. Or maybe its just that my imagination is always better than what is on screen... hmmm. I love my family. Especially all of our stupid jokes that make no sense to anyone else. We always have fun when we are together and I know no matter what happens I have 6 solid friends for life. I love to eat.. practically anything. Ask anyone they would agree.

So ya.. that is a little about me. Here goes nothin'.

June 18th

....
I am going to college. Yes, the day every teacher, mom, dad, and child talks about from the first day of blessed kindergarden actually has a date. Its in the books. June 18th..

June 18th.

Juuuunnnne 18TH!


excited, nervous, anxious, reluctant... I feel it all.

Question.. Am I ready?

Answer... I won't know... until June 18th. ;)

growed up

I tried to talk to my old friend
Mr. Monster under the bed
I said
"Hey maybe would you think about moving back in?"

I talked to the Dark that night too 
But no matter what he just sat there, faded
telling me to go to sleep
too tired to play tricks 

I thought back to those evil timed tests in 3rd grade
multiplication, problem after problem
getting turned inside out
as the timer went tick-tock in my head.

Its just not the same now
There is nothing under the bed
no creepy shadows in the distance
no tests on multiplication!

I guess its time to realize something...
Mr. Monster has moved on
and life just keeps on moving with him.