It's all the same to me.

It's days like today that make a girl think. One of my friends gave his farewell address this morning, and it was just another one of the many surreal experiences that have been happening lately. Watching Blake on the stand, Emi and I just kept looking at each other and saying, "Blake, OH Blake." in some weird voice or another. But as I listened to his talk, and heard his testimony, I couldn't help but be proud to call him a friend. Then, as the (super attractive) RM giving his homecoming address spoke, there was this almost overwhelming feeling that came over me that that is what I want these boys to become. Not that the boys I hang out with now are anything short of amazing, but this kid had matured in ways that aren't possible outside of the mission field. He knew where he was going, and how he was going to get there.
And while it's hard to comprehend sending these boys away for two years, seeing the "finished product," so to speak, makes it all seem worth it in the end.
There's a quote I've seen that says something along the lines of, "missionaries leave their families for two years so that other families can be together for eternity." When you think of it that way, it's hard to not say goodbye. 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and ^^^ this little beauty is completely true. Blake's parents were called to serve as mission presidents in Detroit, Michigan, so he moved out there the summer before our junior year--which will be two years this August. (?) Those two years flew by, which gives me some sort of crazy hope that the next 2-3 will go just as fast. I know it's wishful thinking to hope that we'll all be friends and still around by the time these kids all get home, but it's what every girl thinks right as the boys leave. And who knows, it just might work. Blake will be one of the first kids our age to leave, but Trent leaves for Ghana in October, and Matt leaves for Arizona in September---which is so not OK---and while it's weird to think that these are my best friends heading out there, I know it's the right thing for them to be doing. And I couldn't be more proud of them.


In other news, tomorrow, the entire Bell clan is invading Lagoon. And by Bell clan, I mean....
Me, Brittany, Ryan, Emily, Aubrey, Mary, Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Jo, Maddy, Carrie, Clint, Evan, Owen, Amy, Brent, TJ, Brevin, Davis, Ian, Melanie, Dan, Kenzie, James, Breanne, Laura, Zach, Hyrum, Sheron, Branden, Megin, Dallin, Lolly, and Addy.
AND, I'm in a walking boot for my leg. It's going to be an adventure, to say the least. Today, when we were talking about it, I told my aunt Amy that I was going to wear a swimsuit all day because of the water rides. "Ash...there is no way you're getting married in the next year then, just saying." Finally, someone that is on my side.
Park City in four days. Be prepared for pictures, summer flings, and lots and lots of stories.

All good things come to an end.

Well. We did it. Twelve years of schooling, teachers, homework, tests, and social circles are finally over. We graduated. I didn't even trip. And they played the school song for the last time--it sounded like a funeral march. Fitting? or eery? Anyway. (Sidenote: Only at Davis High could you graduate and not know the person sitting right next to you. Seriously. I'd never seen--or heard--of her in my life. Better late than never, right?) The class of 2012 accomplished a lot. Multiple state titles, record breaking academics and test scores, and we were the first class in all 98 to ever get kicked out of a dance. I'd say we're winners. But the those things are all good, and fun, but the things that matter most are the people we met and the people we've become. Conveniently, those two subjects are directly linked. These girls survived nearly 12 years of school with me, except for the couple years they decided to be smarter than I was and go to Spectrum. But we all make mistakes. ;) But really, we've been through a lot. And in less than two months, we'll be two hours away from each other, and leading separate lives. It's a little odd. 

So as my favorite ginger heads off to Europe for a month,and the lone blonde betters the lives of underprivileged children, I just want to say thank you. 

In other news, I had a massive dinner of sushi with my parents. Mmmmm. I could eat that stuff all day, everyday. My husband better like it, or we could have some serious issues. Also, the all night party was fantastic. However, I wouldn't recommend doing Flowrider and iRock early, because then you're exhausted. Also, don't let your best friend belay you on the rock wall...I almost died. But that's another story. We bowled more than I ever have in my entire life, climbed walls, earned ticked, and won the sickest t-shirts in existence. (It has a giraffe with a mustache on it. Is there anything better??) I got home at 4, and slept til noon. I'm sore, tired, and not wanting to go to work tonight. But it was so worth it. 

We did it, kids. We really did. 

Summertime, swimtime.

So I entered a giveaway for a Lime Ricki swimsuit via Pink Peonies. If you haven't checked out either of their sites, you definitely should, because they're great. Lime Ricki is a swimsuit company that makes modest--and super adorable--swimsuits for us girls that are interested in modesty and high fashion. They're adorable, and also affordable, unlike some of the other companies out there. Check them out here. And enter the giveaway if you want! It's worth a shot, huh?