Oh Brother!

Let me just mention the fact that I have THE best brothers in the world! [Not because they are super heroes and frequently save my day] It's simply because they find the most unique ways to put a smile on my face.

First of all I have four brothers (i'm squashed between the oldest and middle child) and used to be so sick of boys. I mean I had a huge tantrum when I found out my mother was pregnant with my now 10 year old blonde bombshell brother; it's not every day you yell "Not another stinkin' boy!". But now I would not trade them for the world. For Pete's sake they are my world!

We haven't always gotten along but now we are a tight bunch of peas in a pod. I love being an older sister and sharing all my knowledge and silly mistakes with them so they know not to repeat them. Plus I can act as immature as I want and still be the most well behaved kid in the family {best perk ever... my family > your family}. Plus you have someone to go to the cinema with to see the latest disney/kids movies.

Anyways the reason they make me smile is because they aren't afraid to do things. Sometimes those things may be to annoy me or try something rediculously stupid like pinning close pegs to their tongues but they make me laugh. Even if it may not be until I've thought about what happened.
Moral of the story: love your family no matter how crazy they are because evetually they will learn to love you back (even if they don't quite show the feeling of love to you at this moment in time)
Remember to love your brothers.
Best wishes, Reilly Michele

Frozen love in February

Well what a year it has been so far! It feels like it's flown by! Don't ya think? Did January happen? And where has February gone? Although this month is the shortest of them all it has streched out pretty well.

It's been filled with some of my favourite things: finally seeing Frozen, Valentines day and the winter olypmics.

First of all I went on this super duper cute date filled with a shockingly terrible yet hilarious game of mini-golf (it was terrible because I felt so bad for the guy because J was such an embarrasment hitting the golf ball all over the place), a walk around the city of Nottigham (it's a pretty awesome city so go check it out!) and a trip to the theater to finally see Frozen. And yes I loved it! Can't stop singing the songs and telling everyone how much I love disney (Have I mentioned the fact that I adore Disney? Well know y'all know).

Secondly Valentine's day: now most people hate it because it reminds them that a. They're single b. Other people are happier than they are and c. They don't have somebody special that loves them. So what? Why be dependent on others for your happiness in life? Just learn to embrace everything you have. And if that doesn't work then have a cookie :) Yes I made THE most adorable cookies ever for V-day because everyone was saying how much they hate the day. It's a day of love, no matter what form that comes in so why can't it come from a friend? Hence why I baked & brought a tin full of pink sugar coated heart shaped cookies to school. I'm glad to say I put a few smiles on people's faces.

And that's not all that happened on V-day. We also had a stake etiquette dinner. So of course I had a valentine's (or two) there! [I think i am probably the only child out there that loves valentine's day even though she's a single pringle] It was yet again the sweetest thing ever. The cultural hall had magically been transformed into a restaurant, complete with piano music and a zillion forks. Although i'm the oldest in the stake I still loved it!

So what's the moral of these stories? Learn to embrace life and all that it has. Smiles make the world a better place so never cease to have one on your face :)

Lots of love, Reilly

"Put a smile on your face

....and make the world a better place!"

I have adored saying this phrase time and time again to people I see at school. There are way too many grumpy looking people out there! Plus it's been scientifically proven that smiling can help you feel happier (happy endorphins are released).

So why not give it a go and try it yourself? What is there to lose? :)

If your day isn't going just as you have planned or someone has beat you down (metaphorically speaking...I hope nobody has actually beaten you up...if so get some help asap), even the darkest clouds can be brightened. I'm not trying to suggest that I am the happiest, jolliest person around but I sure do know i'd rather spend my time being joyful than worrying about the little things in life.
Basically I hope you can learn to make the best out of every situation and think positively. (You don't happen to want to hear my 'positivity song' do ya?)

I know puting a smile on my face really does make all the difference: it not only helps me to feel more comfortable in my own skin but is also infectious.

Remember this one thing: Rainbows only come after rainstorms.

Happy smiling & Happy Tuesday! Love, Reilly Michele

Happy new year baby!

I seriously suck at this whole blogging thing! First of all I must apologise: my laptop has decided to hate me and die so all my lovely pictures are either on a dead laptop or still on my camera...either way it'll be a while before my blog sees them. Second of all I meant to post this ages ago but was trying to find the perfect pictures to accompany a great list of highlights :) I hope your 2014 has been great so far. I've adored mine. It's been full of firsts and lasts. This is going to be such a bittersweet year! Anyways on to the main focus of this entry:

Highlights of my 2013:

January

-Sat my first A level exams (man were they scary....I also discovered the power of food regarding stress relieving)
-very seriously started thinking about my future

February

-Had a cute bestfriend valentines day date...and got nasty stares from people since most of them thought we were a couple -.- (boy were they wrong!)
-Performed in my last ever Dance Platform (didn't know it would be my last one at the time)

March

-dressed up as Katniss Everdeen for world book day (& forgot to take pictures)
-Got my first a level exam results back and although they were not what I expected, they still kept me on the right track for university

April

-went back to old hometown in Germany, saw friends & reminisced
-enjoyed a wonderful General Conference!

May

-turned the ripe old age of 17 (it's old when the people you hang out with are younger than you)
-had two terrifying foreign language speaking exams (did I mention I got 100% on my german?? Some people blame my parent's moving choices but I still had to work hard)
-went to Taco Bell for the first time in 9 years!! (By the way...there is one in Manchester's City Mall)

June

-Saw BYU's wonderful ballroom dance company
-Graduated my third year of Seminary
-took the ACT's (with no idea what to expect)

July

-went on a high school biology trip to Wales (this was a biggie since it was my first ever high school overnight trip in an english speaking country = no awkward language barriers = Yay!!)
-attended the first ever brittish church pagent
-went on my last ever young women's  camp (but I was a leader and made an awesome friend)

August

-Attended a Youth camp as a young Leader surrounded by a gorgeous man-made lake (It was a beautiful place to run every morning...cue blurry photos)

-Spent two weeks in wonderful France (and attempted to improve my speaking skills.... Making reservations on the phone in French was pretty tough)
-Took some gorgeous beach photos (cue photos)

-climbed Mount Snowdon (and hopefully will not be climbing it any time soon)

September

-started my senior year of high school as a House Leader (I help manage and lead House activities and events....not Quidditch :P )
-attended and awesome multi-stake seminary super Saturday
-started this blog!

October

-Officially started my BYU application
-Went Ice skating with my adorable friends!
-Had a great Halloween with some close school friends
-was mom for the week whilst my momma visited my grandparents in AZ
November
-celebrated Bonfire Night with Wellingtons and Fireworks
-Went to a super cute Disney themed dance
-Hosted a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner
-Sent off my BYU application (and still [not so] patiently waiting for a reply)

December

-got ready for Christmas
-went to some adorable Christmas Parties with Friends and Family
-Enjoyed finding perfect gifts for family
-Celebrated Christmas!

And.....

Plans for 2014:
-Finally get a reply from BYU (hopefully also get accepted)
-Eat even more healthily
-Have a steady exercise regime (& stick to it)
-Give thanks more
-be more prepared
-Attend FSY (EFY)
-Graduate Seminary & High School
-Go on a cute vacation with Friends
-Take more pictures (try to do 'a selfie a day')
-Travel to the States
-visit Family and Friends
-Attend BYU
-Start my mission papers
-Travel around Western U.S.A.
-personally attend General Conference
-Serve in as many temples as possible
-Get a job (& save up!)

{a bunch of random photos from the past year}

Thanks for dealing with my randomness and sorry for sounding depressing at the very beginning (I do assure you I am far from being a lonely saddo even if I do say so more often than not) :D Lots of love, Reilly

Patiently waiting...

At least my entries are a monthly thing right? And considering it takes me at least a day to simply text somebody back i'm pretty proud that I remember the simple fact that I have a silly little blog to post random thoughts and feelings on. (Did I mention the fact that I have the memory of a gold fish?)

So what's happened in the last month or so? Quite a lot actually. Halloween feels like a lifetime ago and this year has gone by way too quickly!
School has been tough :/ Although I'm taking one less A-level than last year, it's still a lot more work to juggle. Stress never seems to stop. I might as well make it a welcome mat and tell it to make itself at home even though it seems to already have done so in my life.
I'm way behind on wider reading and making revision notes from my class notes but that's what the two weeks of christmas holiday are for right? Well that and stuffing my face full until I can't see my toes...and then spending the rest of the year complaining about how unfit I am followed by a crazy new year's resolution to work out more that will last about two weeks tops. But maybe I might actually find a regime I can stick to this time round? I sure do hope so so I can actually go through with my 'minus/plus freshmen ten' theory.
Oh dear...I get off topic way too easily!!

Anyways...

WHAT I DID IN NOVEMBER (and December so far):
-Bonfire Night celebrations
-Attended my last official annual stake youth convention weekend (with a Disney themed dance!!) My convention > your convention
-went ice skating with my lovely young women
-attended an amazing Imagine Dragons concert... Check them out!! (awkward company but I was very nearly in the front row and I sang my heart out)
-had mock exams (basically mid-terms...I think)
-finally recieved my converted high school transcript (pretty proud of my 3.8 GPA...I hope BYU approve ,too!)
-saw Catching Fire (I will have to write a post just about The Hunger Games some day soon)
-celebrated Thanksgiving with my adorable group of friends (a very bittersweet evening)
-celebrated Thanksgiving with my family. (McKay even came down from Uni for the day)
-FINALLY finished my application to BYU and successfully sent it off (I got so stressed about the essays)
-Decorated the house for christmas
-Bought AND wrapped all of my christmas gifts, and my family's gifts
-trying to survive the flu season...and starting to be unsuccessful
-trying to be patient regarding waiting for BYU Provo and Idaho's decision
-painfully searching high and low and applying everywhere for a job (without success so babysitting it is for now...which does actually pay better only con is that it's not an easy job just to depend on)
-getting into the Christmas spirit!! :)

Life really can get busy but it's very important to remember the things you have been blessed with. I'm so grateful for having the gospel in my life and the example of those around me such as my wonderful parents and amazing seminary teacher (who sometimes only teaches me when the other two students aren't around but still does an incredible job). Don't forget to also remember the Saviour this season and how much our Heavenly Father loves us all. Merry Christmas.

Yours truly,
Reilly

Life is what you make it :)

Maybe I should just have a goal of posting a monthly entry? At least I would fulfill that!
This past month has been great! I have done so much with so many people and in so many places. Also: my BYU application is nearly done [= less stress in my life = YAY!!!!] I just have to decide what to write my essays about {I do have a few ideas running through my mind don't worry}... and then actually write them of course.
The last week of October was half term which means I had the week off from school. Obviously I tried to make the most out of the week by a) spending as much time as possible with my friends b)not doing too much work and c)relaxing *ahem* being lazy (so overall it was a great week). My mom was gone for the week since she went to visit my grandparents in AZ so I was the mini mom for the week :) Luckily my dad is amazing and fed us pretty well (the only time I had pizza was with friends!).
On Monday I helped tidy the house, attempted to sort out my school work and made some wonderful Halloween themed treats (candy corn cookies anybody??) and carved pumpkins with the family for FHE.

On Tuesday my friends and I went to Screamfest. Basically you pay to go to a local adventure farm and be scared by scary people. It's been our little Halloween tradition for two years now. But this year we decided to sort of dress up by painting our faces. Most of us did little eye make up bats and ghosts and creepy trees whereas I and my friend Chrisi did full face paint. She was a zombie and I was a skeleton. Unfortunately all the good photos were taken by my friends so please excuse this bad one :) It was an awesome night and I really am going to miss all these crazy kids if I end up studying across the pond.

On Wednesday I went to Liverpool with my friend Laura. It was my very first time there! We went with a group of kids from the local youth clubs (some of which I volunteer at). It was superb! Did I mention we saw THE yellow submarine??? Firstly we visited the maritime and black history museums and absorbed as much knowledge as possible. After that we needed a bit of retail therapy and went to a super huge outdoor mall. It was gorgeous! Very metropolitan. Of course we spent a large amount of time in the country's second largest Primark and after debating on what I should buy, I walked out with a new superhero t-shirt and some super cute overalls that I adore.

On Thursday I went ice skating with the wonderful church friends from around Birmingham. They are the most wonderful young men and young women I have in my life and I am so grateful I have gotten to know them. They make me laugh and cry and are great listeners.

After that, I went to a Halloween sleepover at Laura's house. We watched about 5 different movies including The Woman in Black and The Uninvited as well as some classic Disney movies (we thought monsters inc. was a suitable Halloween movie).

On Friday after my dad picked me up, we went to a small world war 2 museum in Lichfield since Haydn (the 9 year old brother) loves anything to do with army. It was so nice to see him enjoy what he loves most!

On Saturday my momma came home!! It was so nice to see her again. It had definitely been a long week without her but I'm glad she was able to see her parents for a while (She hadn't seen them for about 2 years!). I went to the Barton Bonfire Night with Annie, Holly, Hannah and Laura. It was Doctor Who themed and Dick and Dom were there to host it! I loved the fireworks show and it was by far the best one they have had yet! I made sure to wrap up warm and bring my camera along.

 (the famous duo from the British side of my influence)

Well you can see that it was a great week!!

Since then I've been busy with school work and university applications (cross your fingers that BYU wants me!). Oh and my friends and I got McBusted tickets!! Pretty exciting stuff! The gig is just a few days before my birthday in May so I can't wait!! {166 days to go!}

Besides that, I attended yet again another youth multi-stake dance but this time it was Disney themed! :O 

Of course I dressed up as a Disney Princess (Cinderella obviously) and here are some pictures from last night:

Hope my attempt of making this more exciting worked!

By the way: I'm seeing the one and only Imagine Dragons on Friday... yes i'm super excited!!! Enjoy life and enjoy your week!

Lots of love, 

Reilly Michele

A month later...

Aaaaanndd....... I haven't been on here in a while (well a month isn't that long seeing as time flies by these days). I guess life got in the way. I can't say it's been crazy (because it hasn't) but it's not been a breeze either.
Senior year is weird! I don't hate it but I don't love it.
It's weird being the oldest and having to share the common room with younger students (which by the way is nothing like it is in the Harry Potter movies) in stead of being afraid of ruining the day of someone who is older and scary (Yes, that is how i used to define Senior High School students).
Because now i'm the scary, older, wiser student (well I thought the older students were wiser.. I probably am not), the responsible one that seems to have their life mapped out. Neither of which are true.
Although I have an idea of what I want to do with my life, it's just a matter of seeing if that is what Heavenly Father has planned for me. (I just reeeeaaallly hope that i'm on the right path... because I think I am. Which is a good thing right?).
I had a mock interview the other day (a school thing...I wonder if they have those in the states??) and luckily they didn't ask me where I would see myself in five years because i really doubt that I will be where I hope to be. (Remind me to look back at this in five years... and hopefully laugh about this).
Anywhooooo....
I really need to organise my thoughts and add pictures so I do not bore anybody (just myself at this point.. I'm not surprised that NOBODY is reading this randomness). That's right.. nobody. I'm not just a random loner in reality but also on the internet (yay me!).