My Project

I was in need of a summer project, so I decided to change up my room. There were probably other rooms that needed it more, but I thought my room was more manageable. So here is a before and after picture.

Before
(So boring and dark, don't you think?)

After
(So much brighter. I wasn't so sure about the color at first, but now I love it!)

There is still work to be done, but I am pretty darn proud of myself for taking on this project and doing it almost completely by myself...picking the stuff (very hard for me to make those decisions), painting, moving furniture, putting together a book shelf, sewing curtains. It was all quite exhilarating because I actually did it. I wasn't sure I could. Now I am ready for the next room!

**Thanks to dad for the ceiling fan...I am not roasting in bed every night! Thanks to Kim for the help with the curtains.

Sisters

(Allie, Tera, Kelsi, Kim)

The best things about sisters...

They listen to me. I know I can vent to any one of them, and they will listen and still love me.
They make me laugh. If I am having a bad day, I can call and they will make me smile.
They helped create (and continue to create) wonderful family memories.
They share in the good and the bad. I know I can always count on them.
They don't judge, but we are always on the same "side."
They do and are so much more...

(Kelsi, Allie, Kim, Tera)

These are my sisters. They are my friends.

(Allie, Tera, Kim-Sorry Kels, I was making do with the pictures I have! I love you still!)

Some of my favorite memories...
Hide and go seek in the dark
Playing with neighborhood friends
Christmases
Playing "school" or "house" or barbies
Clogging
Broken arm (apparently it was MY fault?)
Fork in eye (not really, but considered)
Fighting with brushes
High School together
Crushes, dances, and dates
Kim and I at Ricks together
4 wheeling trips
Lake Powell
Weddings
Just hanging out and having fun

As a side note, I thought it might be fun to post about some of the people in my life and fun memories. So little brother, don't worry, because I will be posting about you!

Becoming

This photo...just because I would love to be more like these two!

Since this has become a sort of journal for me, I am going to share a bit of me I don't usually like to share.

I don't know why, but I have been struggling. Not in a bad way, but in a good way. A need to be better. Not only to be better, but in a specific way.

I want to become the person that anyone can talk to, anyone can trust, because I won't share anything they share with me. I won't try to come out "ahead" in the conversation.

I want to be the person that compliments the other person instead of worrying about what stupid thing I am going to say or what stupid thing I am going to do.

I want to be the person that can talk to anyone and not be the shy person that I typically am. It keeps me from saying things I really do want to say or do. I don't want to worry about what the other person is thinking about me.

It feels like I have stopped growing. I have stopped becoming the Tera I know I can be. Fear seems to be the biggest hurtle.

I am TRYING.

I am trying to get out of my comfort zone.

Take the time to listen to those around me.

Work on strengthening relationships with family and friends.

Be friendly and sincere.

Be a person someone turns to when they need something.

What else do I do? How do I really become the person I WANT to be? Is it something I will ever achieve? Or is this a struggle that is meant to last a life time?

I feel better. It may not make any sense to you, but putting those thoughts into words was, well, therapeutic.

Thanks to so many of you for being that person to me!

I'm still here...

I have just been having lots of fun spending time with my family. Thanks to these wonderful people who have made my month so memorable and exciting!

The temple open house with a few of the Jeffs

A few cute nieces and a nephew (and Charity) came to stay with me

I spent 3 weeks with these beautiful ladies in the Arizona heat

My handsome brother

Grandma and Grandpa Washburn, the Blakes, and little brother
(Lots of the Washburns, actually)

I have been around so many people and had so much to do that life seems so lonely now. Lunch anyone? How about a movie? I have some fun games. I need something to do!