Return of the Mr. Bucket

All you 90s kids who had a Mr. Bucket, raise your hands in the air!

Funny thing, several weeks ago I got a text from my little bro. The text message said, "I got you a present." I was confused. It wasn't even my birthday so I sent a message back that said, "Why did you get me a present?" He replied with, "Because I saw it and it reminded me of days that are long past." 

I was stumped. I had no idea what this so called present was. I thought maybe it was a joke. The next morning though, my doorbell rang and Jace stood at the door holding a Mr. Bucket box. Apparently he found it at the DI and instantly thought of me. The best part? It's in perfect condition and nothing is missing. Heck, the instructions are even still there.

I enjoy playing it. The only other person who plays it with me is Luna, and I guess technically she is not even a person. And she doesn't play right. It's more like she's on Mr. Bucket's team. I scoop up the balls that he spits out and Luna whacks them across the linoleum floor.  

Happy long weekend! Maybe I'll talk someone into playing Mr. Bucket with me.

Class of 2012

Excuse my slouch, I was wearing tall wedges and didn't want to be taller than the graduate. 

Cody & Jace

 Jace & Alyssa. She's over six feet tall and is going to dominate playing volleyball for CSI. 

My sister and her friend, posing it up with Jace. 

Future graduate

 Jace and his cute friend, Madison. They are both coming to USU!! Yay! 

I made this for the brother. So excited he's going to be an Aggie!

The fam. Minus Grandpa and Grandma Keller. They ran off real quick. 

Last night my brother graduated from West Side High School. It's a weird thing to watch your baby brother graduate. I just can't stop thinking about when he was a little toddler with chubby cheeks and super blonde hair. I was super protective of that little boy and at the same time, I adored picking on him. He couldn't say his R's, which was problematic since his name is Wonnie Jace Kella and his favorite animal was the hewmit cwab. And I could easily convince him to dress up in tutus with me and we would both dance around the front room. It's true, Jace. Don't deny it. I have pictures.

And then I think about when I, myself, was a senior at West Side and Jace was just a freshman. Again, I was super protective and again, I adored picking on him. No one would tease my little freshman brother unless it was me. He was most likely embarrassed of me since some of his friends thought me and my friends were the hot senior girls, but Jace just saw us as his annoying older sister and her obnoxious friends. And it most likely bugged him how I befriended all the girls his age who played various sports with me; I told them my best and worst dating stories, gave them boy advice, and drove them around places since none of them had a driving license yet. I'm sure there have plenty of times that Jace just wanted to get rid of me.

But he must not want to get rid of me too badly since he'll be coming to Utah State with me in the fall. I'd like to believe he really does love me after all.

Over the years, Jace and I have grown to be not just siblings but also good friends. I'm proud of the gentleman he's grown into. He's just bound to do great things in life.

Way to go, Class of 2012! Be proud of your little West Side High heritage and go out and do totally rad things!

  And no major event would be complete without my dad giving a girl a big smooch. Thanks for being a good sport, Alyssa.

Truth Tuesday

glasses: Claire's, dress: Old Navy, necklace: Downeast Outfitters, gladiators: Ross

• The quote above is so very true. Sometimes I forget to be grateful for all I have and I start to look around and compare. Oh I wish I had their puppy, I want their car, I want to go to Disneyland, I wish I could be as cool as her. Well, wanting and whining never helped anyone. The right attitude is gratitude. I was reminded of that today when I helped my little sister with her 8th grade country report. She chose Ethiopia since my mom and I went there four years ago (I can't believe it's already been that long ago). I told all the kids how grateful and happy they should be for the amazing country we live in. I think sometimes we get used to expecting more, like we have some kind of special privilege. As I told the kids some of my stories about starving children I fed, kids whose parents had been murdered, girls my age dying of AIDS, families living in one room grass huts (and having to bring their goats and other animals inside with them at night so the hyenas didn't eat them), I remembered once again just how good I have it. The thing that blew my mind about Ethiopia though, is that the people never complained. I met some of the happiest people I think I may ever meet while visiting that beautiful country. They continually thanked God for all they had rather than dwelling on all their many, many hardships. 

• Speaking of happiness, I found a list of 12 Things Happy People Do Differently. I'm going to try to focus on working on a few of them. I'll be honest, I think I actually am pretty good with most of them, but they are all things I can continually progress at. And there are a few ( like #3 and #10) I could really work on, and I think it could increase my happiness. And who doesn't want to increase their happiness? Join me, will you? 

• Happy is actually my favorite word in the English language. One day I thought about it, and I decided it was my favorite. And I'm all about my words. So saying that happy is my favorite is a big deal.

• I've been feeling inspired by this, this, and this. 

• I'm stoked out of my socks that Yellowcard is coming out with a new album this summer. I will forever love Yellowcard. I will also never forget the first time BWell sang and played on the guitar "Only One" by Yellowcard for me. At that moment I honestly decided I might have to marry the guy. 

• I have a confession. I know I'm probably the minority but the minority deserves to have a voice too. I hate The Bachelor/Bachelorette. It makes me want to puke in my mouth. And puking in my mouth is not an enjoyable thing to do. I just think it's an insult to intelligence and true love. But that's just my opinion. You'd probably hate the stuff I watch on television too. I guess that's why they make so many different channels, to fit the tastes of all different personalities. So you may continue to watch your Bachelor/Bachelorette in peace and I will continue to watch my documentaries, 48 Hr Mysteries, Duck Dynasty, and What Not to Wear. We can all be happy.

• My brother graduates from high school tomorrow and I'm not sure how to feel about it. I think I'm having more mixed emotions than he is, which I don't think is normal. I'm excited for him. I think he's going to love college!