Where would we be without

BLACK FRIDAY?

Who exactly was the person

that had the idea to open up

the stores at 4 am

and have everything on sale??

Because they are GENIUS.

There is nothing more exhilarating

than being in Walmart

when the horn goes off,

and all of the plastic wrap comes

off of the sale items.

Especially,

when your mom and aunts

want you to get those items.

Running around the store,

jumping over boxes,

pushing through carts,

it is an adventure.

And who knew Zu-Zu pets

were the most wanted toy?

They had them behind the gun counter

handing them out like prescription drugs.

To some moms, those toys are drugs.

Walmart was probably the most insane.

We went to the mall after

thinking it was going to be

CRAZY.

It wasn't.

There was probably twenty people

just walking around.

No lines anywhere.

Except the Disney store.

There was a HUGE line

outside of that place.

Again, parents and their drugs...

We decided to ditch the mall

after about 15 minutes

and headed over to TOYS R US

because there were tons of cars outside

and we like the crowded places.

It wasn't too bad.

Just a few nutty people.

Us included.

But we do it to get a rush.

Others, they do it as if their life depends on it.

Target.

It didn't open until four

so we went home and chilled

for a bit before heading over there.

We couldn't miss this rush.

People were lined up from the door

all the way down the street,

past Old Navy, and around the building.

We got there at about 3:50

and waited by the door

because there was no way in heck

we were walking all the way

to the end of that line.

When the doors opened,

people ran.

Literally ran.

By the time that the line got

to the end and we got inside,

people with the TVs were already

on their way out.

Our moms met us back in Target

after we got the so desired items.

Then Katie and I got to wait in line.

After we were lying down

in the underwear section.

It was the only place with no people.

Go figure.

Then after waiting in line til about 5:45,

they let us go home.

They stayed there in the line

for who knows how long.

The line stretched throughout the

ENTIRE store.

Nothing is worth waiting outside

in the freezing cold for hours.

Nothing.

Oh the joys of Black Friday.

"I am thankful...
For the wife who says it's hot dogs tonight,
because she is home with me,
and not out with someone else.
For the husband who is on
the sofa being a couch potato,
because he is home with me
and not out at the bars.
For the teenager who is
complaining about doing dishes,
because it means she is at home,
not on the streets.
For the taxes I pay,
because it means I am employed.
For the mess to clean after a party, because
it means I have been surrounded by friends.
For the clothes that fit a little too snug,
because it means I have enough to eat.
For my shadow that watches me work,
because it means I am out in the sunshine.
For a lawn that needs mowing,
windows that need cleaning,
and gutters that need fixing,
because it means I have a home.
For all the complaining I hear
about the government,
because it means we have
freedom of speech.
For the parking spot I find
at the far end of the parking lot,
because it means I am capable of walking
and I have been blessed with transportation.
For my huge heating bill,
because it means I am warm.
For the lady behind me in church
who sings off key,
because it means I can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing,
because it means I have clothes to wear.
For weariness and aching muscles
at the end of the day,
because it means I have been
capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes off
in the early morning hours,
because it means I am alive."

I found this poem my freshman year and I have loved it ever since.
I truly am grateful for all the little things in my life.
I think I have more than A LOT of other people in this world.
Sometimes I think that Americans loose the sight of what really matters.
Because we have so many things to block our vision,
to get us distracted.
But if we each take one minute to take a step back in our lives
and realize that even in the hard times, we always have more than someone else.
For example, you are reading this.
Therefore, you have access to a computer.
I bet there are thousands of people who have never even seen a computer.
So try not to take everything for granted.
Once a day think about what you have.
And be grateful for it.

Senior? I guess I am.

I've always thought putting up pictures of yourself was always
a little awkward.
And slightly embarrassing.
Then I decided.
So what?
It took me an entire day to take these pictures.
I had to do a lot of fake smiling.
A lot of walking.
I'm not complaining.
Because it was heck of fun.
This is the product of Jessica and I spending an entire day
driving around and snapping pictures.
Changing clothes in the car.
Getting weird looks from people.
And having fun.
Senior pictures?
Done.