"secretly my best friend, all along"

Today's "girl power" post comes from the adorable Joni from the little beachs.
after you read her post, check out her fun blog!

"I never knew about sisters growing up I grew up with 5 older brothers.  I had toy cars, bikes, and sling shots.  I did once get a doll and I ended up painting it blue and burned off her hair...I guess you could call me a tom boy.  I went through life loving every minute of it and not caring that all my friends were guys and that I would rather blow up things than shop at a mall.

-It was not till one day - the day I got married.

That day was the best day of my life, I married my best friend but little did I know I got 2 best friends that day.  I had always been close to my mother and I have looked up to her and loved her from day one, but the day I got married I gained a new respect for this amazing woman in my life.  it was like something clicked in my head and I saw her as more than "just a mom" I might have never had sisters or many girl friends, but I have the jack pot of mothers.  Now that I am married and a mom, I go to her for everything.  I trust her with every situation and hang on her every idea.  Little did I know I had the best girlfriend any girl could dream of right next to me my whole life.  I am grateful for my mom and the amazing example she has been to me throughout my life.  She has touched so many lives but I think she has touched mine more than anyone's.  My mother has secretly been my best friend all along."

{look for the good in people}

today's "girl power" post comes from my very best friend, Ashley from Absolutely Ashley

Ashley has the funnest blog, seriously!  Even though she is my best friend, and I may be slightly biased, she truly is an amazing woman.  She is one of my heros in life.  I look up to her so much in so many aspects of life.

Here is her inspirational woman in her life:

to love life. to accept everyone. to be there for everyone. to LOVE everyone. to work hard. to laugh. to know that i can do tough things.to do what you love. to be a leader.

 Kathleen Pili was my coach for two years in college.Those were some of the best memories of my life. Kathleen was like my mom to me. Our team would go to her house for team dinner and I was a captain so got to spend even more time with this amazing lady and got to know her a little more than the rest of the team. I was lucky.She always was full of great advice for me and truly cared about every single girl on our team. No matter what anyone had been through she was always there with a willing hand & a listening ear. She is such a great person and I was so blessed to have her be a part of my life.

i will never forget the fun memories of camp in California, all our performances, team dinners, outings, picture taking,talking,eating,etc. There was never a dull moment with her, she was always making us laugh (doing her old cheers from high school, you know what i'm talkin about drill girlies...!) Kathleen was always full of energy and taught me to always be positive and to look for the good in people. She is THE DANCING QUEEN. Her program was all about having fun doing what we all love the most...DANCING. We all did just that. I think every team should be about FUN, and not stupid competitions, etc.

i don't think i will ever be able to repay her for the love she showed me. to love everyone. to love them for who they are. and how they have become. to not be judgemental. she made me look at life differently. to view others as our Heavenly Father does. to treat others as we want to be treated.


she helped me become a better person- molded me into who i am today. she probably will never know how much she influenced my life + changed me for the better. but she did.


xoxo  Ashley

like two peas in a pod

Today's "girl power" post comes from the lovely Lindsay from one of my favorite blogs of all time scenic glory - let your spirit take flight
if you get a minute, please flutter on over to her darling blog.  she is one inspirational lady!

Dear Mom,


I wanted to take the time to thank you for being the amazing person that you are. I could not have asked for a better mother, friend and role model. Every day I am grateful for our relationship...it is truly the most beautiful thing I could have ever asked for.

I have vivid memories of my childhood. I can remember how hard it was for you to raise me as a single working parent. Many nights were spent in the hospital because of my asthma, but I could always count on you to be by my side. Although these times were tough on both of us we were always smiling, always laughing and above all we knew we had each other...even then I knew that this was all that mattered.

Every day you encouraged me to reach new heights and to be something great. Even when I announced during my preschool graduation that when I grew up I wanted to "be a rock star like Madonna and live in a town-house in Chicago" you stood behind me (laughing your butt off) and told me I could be whatever I wanted to be...I always knew that I had your support and for that I will forever be grateful.

Looking back I see just how lucky I was...no mountain was ever too high for you. When others might have just given up, you stood by me pushing through every obstacle with all of your strength. I thank you from the buttom of my heart for all of your dedication.

I stand here today a strong woman full of dreams, love, hope, strength and everything in between. Because of you I have these opportunities...because of you I am me. Today I look back to the past and look ahead to the future knowing that with each other we can conquer anything. With you by my side anything is possible...we will always be like two peas in a pod.


Love forever and always,

Lindsay

"sisterhood is {eternal}"

Today's guest post comes from the gorgeous and lovely Shalyn from Laugh Until Your Cheeks Hurt
(darling blog, by the way, with the BEST playlist everrrrr)

anyway, take it away Shalyn....

I wasn't very fond of having four sisters growing up. We were all so...well, different. And different in our house meant endless fights and a constant nuisance stealing the parents' attention. 6 girls in a house makes for a boatload of Estrogen, dontcha know. Oh, and the worst thing was sharing- clothes? I didn't care. But food! Oh, how I hated sharing my food! I suppose I didn't get over some things...;-)


Now that we are all pretty much grown, though, my appreciation for my sisters has blossomed to so much more than just closets to raid or people to blame things on. My sisters are four of the most beautiful, talented girls I have ever known and continue to inspire me everyday.


Just a little bit about each of them since they are all so. very. different.

*Ashley* The most beautiful smile you will ever see. Shaved my back with a razor, fed me Exlax (said it was chocolate-yummy!) and pushed me off the bed constantly when we were little. She still beats me up, but has grown to be the most wonderful person and mommy that you can imagine. I pray to be half the mom she is when I have a little one someday *soon*

*Lindsey* Most infectious laugh you will ever hear and the most gorgeous hair out of anyone in our family. Sings like an angel. Taught herself to play the piano proficiently in just a few months. Teaches me that it is okay to laugh and smile at anyone, anywhere and at anytime (well, almost anytime!)

*Kiley* The most nurturing and sweet. Has a huge heart and loves seeing people happy. Is a huge example to me of someone who truly emulates Jesus Christ. Huge lover of animals- in school to be a veterinary technician. Teaches me to be caring and have more patience.

*Mckayla* Growing into the most beautiful young woman. Sweetest thing ever. I love when she asks me for advice. Loves her older sisters and wearing a cute flower in her hair. Makes me want to be a better person so that I can somehow be an example to her.


Although I am older than three of them, all of them teach me often and make me want to be so much better of a person. They have taught me that no matter your age, you can make a positive impact in someones life.

Sisterhood is eternal.