Originally, I was going to dedicate this post to my entire Thanksgiving weekend. That would be my Wednesday-Sunday of last week. No secrets about it. But I’ve decided that’s not all I’m going to focus on. I will post some photos and share some details about my weekend but I want to share how happy/thankful/grateful I am for the people in my life. This last week has seemed to open my eyes to how truly blessed I am and I can’t ignore that.
But to start my weekend: A drive to Sioux City watching the rain turn to drizzle and then to ice, on my car. Upon my arrival my little sister Dani and I had a bit of a photo shoot.
I had to catch up on the, apparently, new ‘cool’ wear-your-pony-on-the-top-of-your-head hairstyle. (I beg to differ) Thanksgiving eve and day were filled with tons of cooking and baking. And after thanking God for the many blessing we all shared that day, my mama Teri, sister Dani, and sister Chabree and her boyfriend Travis and I got to enjoy all of our hard work. I must say, no offense to Gma Mary, but this was indeed the best Thanksgiving dinner I have experienced.
After dinner we all got on the computer and Skyped my sister in California, Brett. It was great being able to see/talk to her and my bother-in-law and niece. It has been a blessing to have a sister so close in Iowa, and a struggle having one all the way in California. Although visiting is always a nice vacation, Brettie and her family are missed greatly. (Here’s that shout out Bettie! Love you!)
My Friday began with dragging the sis out of bed at 6am, to get on the road to beat game day traffic. Again, a photo shoot was a must, although my sister wasn’t thrilled with the idea, she caved.
I then got to spend my entire day with my boyfriend Joel, my best friend Sarah, and my best friend Abby and her boyfriend Reid. Cheering on the Huskers at the Colorado game was (much to my dismay) my first Husker game this year!! But I bundled myself up in layer upon layers and stayed warm and had a great time.
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| Sarah, Abby, and I |
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| Me and Joel |
Saturday began much later, as I took a well deserving opportunity to sleep in. I spent a ton of time trying to figure out what I would wear to my Out of State Performance and with some opinions via phone by my mom and from Joel, I decided. I left Lincoln around 4pm and chatted on the phone with my Alabama’s Sweetheart Taylor Yates, and it wasn’t until I got off the phone with her (40 minutes outside of Sioux City) that I realized I had forgotten my cocktail dress for my performance. With some frantic searching at the local Younker’s, mom and I found a wonderful dress (on sale at that) and I thought my problems had been solved.
I forgot my hair product. I forgot my tennis shoes for work Monday. I forgot my toothbrush and toothpaste (luckily I keep an extra at my sister’s house!) Mother and I had our fair share of arguments on the drive to Minneapolis, and a fair share of wrong turns on the way home. By the time we got back to Sioux City after my Out of State Performance, I was eager to get home. So instead of spending the night in Iowa I packed two pieces of pumpkin pie in some Glad-wear and left town for Lincoln. I had a half tank of gas and nothing to drink so I pulled over at a gas station to get a redbull…and couldn’t find my debit card. It was this moment that I nearly lost it.
I was once asked in an interview, “Many titleholders, especially state title holders, have blogs. All of them are always positive. People clearly realize that not everyone is perfect, like these girls are making it seem. Do you think its okay to include negative things in a blog that everyone can see?” Folks, this is my negativity coming out right now. Not everything in the life of a titleholder goes smoothly, just like anyone else. Thanksgiving weekend was stressful and overwhelming and I take all the blame for it. It was my decision to cram everything into the weekend that I did and understood that it would be crazy. And it was. But just because I’m a titleholder, I’m not excluded from stress or arguments with my mom or forgetful mishaps or complaints. I am human like everyone else and these things happen. But a phone call, Christmas lights, a clean house, candles and a hug solved it all.
And the gratefulness begins.
Through all of this stress I dealt with, I began realizing how many things I have to be thankful for. And how many people count on my good attitude daily and the smile I wear on my face. Yes, because I am a real person, a real girl, I suffer real problems, but at the same time, I hold certain expectations of myself to turn those things around as fast as possible. The week continued with little stresses here and there but it seemed with every stress I had, I was able to see a positive side of the same situation. I sometimes forget that my behavior affects so many people. I usually do a great job maintaining my normal carefree, happy, excited-self, but there are times where that fades. But as the week progressed, my attitude was much better and my appreciation for everyone surrounding me has grown. I got to spend my Friday night at Beta’s Formal with Joel and then family Christmas Saturday. In the short amount of time I had to make relationships with everyone this week/weekend, I could see and feel the care in their eyes.
As Miss Omaha I am representing so many positive programs and organizations…it’s inspirational to tell everyone all the things I get to do (like the Polar Plunge next weekend!) and everything I represent. I find joy in being a part of such an amazing program. At this point in my… everything, my heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude. Despite all the things that have gone wrong, that are going wrong, or that could go wrong, I am in the happiest place I have ever been. During my entire week last week I felt the need to cry because of my negative stresses, but this morning I fought back tears of joy; in realization that I am loved by those around me and in acknowledgement that the little negatives in life, can’t take away, me. I’m always going to be who I am just polished at times and crazy at other times.
Thanks for listening to my complaints, conquers, and sap story.
Youtube adventures of the day:
This song is for my Abby. Cheers to a private laundry party and watching old episodes of GLEE on my own :)
I think this song does a great job in describing my realizations this week. Please listen & I hope you enjoy.
Kayla
Miss Omaha 2011 :)
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