I Must Give Tribute Where Tribute is Due

2010 was all about being strong and having courage.

I did a lot of scary things,

and I tried lots of new things.

I had my first AP class starting in January.

I participated in a talent show at school for the first time.

I went rock climbing for the first time.

I'm still a little scared of heights {falling, really}.

But I'd happily do it again.

I turned 16!

For the first and only time.

I went to prom for the first time.

It was a Mormon Prom, but it still counts!

I went on my first date.

I was in my first real car accident, too.

Luckily I wasn't driving, but it really traumatized me.

I heard my own scream in my head for a couple days.

So I postponed getting my learner's permit.

But after months of realizing paranoia

isn't going to change the fact

that driving is an important part of life,

I've finally found the courage to get behind the wheel again.

 My dad is a great teacher.

I worked on a horse farm for the first time.

Not as a job, just for fun. 

I think I'm insane.

I scooped up poo and didn't even care about the grossness

because I was so giddy to be around horses.

I was a Youth Camp Leader at Girls' Camp for the first time.

I went to a stake Youth Conference  for the first time.

It was such a wonderful experience.

I met Sister Elaine S. Dalton, the General Young Women President

of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I went to EFY for the first time.

Don't judge this picture.

We stayed up way too late crying and sharing our testimonies,

and it resulted in a thrown-together look the next morning.

My counselor Jenna was the best.

I hope I meet up with some of the people in my company

at BYU or on a mission someday.

It's a small world, you know.

If you have a teen, send 'em to an EFY for a week!

I went river rafting for the first time.

Nothing crazy as far as rapids are concerned,

but still totally fun.

I tried knee-boarding and wake-boarding for the first time, too.

Wake-boarding still needs some work.

But I mastered the knee board

after laughing hysterically at everyone

on the back of the boat demonstrate how to wiggle my way up.

I wish I'd had a camera with me.

Oh yeah... I started my first blog.

The next first was starting school as an upper-classmen!

Woohoo!

I hosted the annual get-psyched-for-our-biggest-

high-school-football-game-party for the first time this year.

I have crazy friends.

Some of us were completely covered in acrylics.

I fell in love.

We dressed up as Al Capone and Boo for the first time.

Er, we probably won't do that again.

And it wasn't scary.

But I'm including it for the sake of documentation.

No soccer games this year.

I was a cheerleader for flag football for the first time!

And hung out with some cute little friends.

Ben was the incredible athlete.

There was also some serious cheering for volleyball,

but Lauren's just an old natural at that by now.

Watch out for her killer serves.

I gave blood for the first time.

I participated in an All-East Tennessee choir.

The auditions and screenings really weren't too scary.

I'm shooting for All-State next time.

I tried out for solos in my school choir this year.

I wasn't picked for any, but I gained a little more confidence.

I feel like a me-monster for talking about all this stuff I did.

I was only able to do the scary things

because I prayed for courage though.

And I still love my family.

{Dad was taking the picture.}

Sorry to neglect you, 2010.

You were a good year.

If you read this whole thing

you deserve a plate of brownies.