Uh-Oh.. I'm Turning Into My Mother (Real blog is acutally about Layla Grace; the fact that it's super late and I can't sleep makes me like my mother)

Ever since I was little I remember Mom always waking up way super early, like 3 AM, saying she "couldn't sleep" and worked on work-stuff. I always thought she was CRAZY! How could you not sleep? You have "things on your mind"?

Yeah, well, I'm kicking myself in the butt now for ever thinkin' that.

Layla Grace has been on my mind. The news isn't looking too good right now, had a rough few days. And not only that, it seems like more people know about her, more people ask how she's doing. I love the fact that I'm able to spread the word and get more people praying for this little Angel, but talking about it is so hard. Reading the blog is so hard. Telling Renee and Amber that it will be okay and that our God has a plan regardless, for not only little Layla but for us too, is hard.

A simple facebook status from my best friend earlier sent me over the edge in tears. "Dear sweet layla grace. I pray that you have peace in where ever God takes you. I pray that he gives your parents, and family, the strength they need. ♥" It's a good thing Daddy was asleep, Kole was in bed, and Mom wasn't home. I sat and bawled. My pre-cal homework has a water-spot on it. (Good thing Hallmark won't pick it up). I texted Renee and just knew she was sitting in her bed doin the same exact thing.

I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to pick up the pencil and keep working pre-cal. Didn't know how to put together the physics packet for that test tomorrow. All I could do was cry for precious Layla.

Eventually I got over myself, realizing sobbing wasn't doing any good. The fact is Layla has changed my life. She has, no if's and's or butt's about it. I can't remember the last time I prayed so hard for something. As Mrs. Shanna said "it's not hard to believe that Layla's work here is done, she's changed so many hearts". She's changed my attitude, and my life. Now I'm going out to do the same for others, one day.

These past few weeks, Layla's all I can think about. In physics-when Matt and I check her blog everyday to see if anything's updated. In APUSH-when I look through all her pictures once more, and find myself tearing up. At home-when I don't think there's ever a time when her webpage isn't in the tab next to the window I'm working in. At the pool-when Renee and I kick and talk about how precious she is. At church-when everybody asks how she's doing. And everytime my phone buzzes, hoping it's a positive update from Mrs. Shanna and Mr. Ryan.

Therefore, I guess it's no surprise how she's been on my mind all night. I turned out the lights to go to bed and laid there, tearing up again as I prayed for God to heal her. I turned the lights back on, read my AP Test Study guide for APUSH for our test on Wednesday. I copied pictures of how a rainbow is formed for bonus points for physics. I listened to KSBJ, and heard the lyrics. I checked up on my friends, knowing Renee and Amber are in the same boat I'm in.

Layla's changing lives. She's changed mine. She's changed the 56,293 members of her facebook group. She's brought me closer to my friends, closer to our God, closer to my family. I know I'm not the only one. My aunt hugs her daughter tighter, I take the extra 2 seconds to give my brother a hug before heading out. Layla Grace, you're changing lives.

15 minutes after starting this post, I'm no where near ready for bed. Maybe I'll start one of my Spring Break books (no, that'll be bad. Then I won't EVER go to bed), or study some more for physics, apush, and pre-cal. Or read those stupid current events for English. Maybe I'll sit in bed, thanking God for what He has given me, and continue to think about precious Layla Grace. That's probably what'll happen. Just like normal.

PS: You know how I just said 56,293 were members of the "Praying for Layla Grace" facebook group? Yeah? Well I just re-checked. 4 minutes later and the number has jumped to 56,320. Unbelievable.

Layla Grace, you're awesome! Truly something special, can't wait to meet you one day :)

56,324 members.

56,329 members.

Layla's Facebook Page: see for yourself how the numbers are jumping
Layla's Blog

I had messed up the HTML for the links, so came back to edit. Facebook group: 56,342 members. Layla Grace, you're unbelievable.

What I spent a good half of my Saturday doing... thanks Mom

A compilation of all the pictures from the party last night. Thank you Renee Jordan for taking pictures too to add to the video.

NOTE: this was not my idea, but rather my mom's because she wanted to send out a video to all the parents.

Team YES Party

Swimming is a sport where you see your teammates ALL the time (seriously, more than any other friends), but you don't really get to hang out, and the time you do get to sit on the wall you're typically dead from the last set.

Well last night all of the JR/SR group was invited to come over for a party after practice. A couple of us went to practice (hallelujah it was easy, thank you Coach Dennis for being at sectionals), and then got ready at the pool to head over to my house. I took 4 (3 high school guys in the back-seat of my truck haha, Renee loved the best-friend front-seat privilege) in my truck, then a couple people followed. Once everybody got there, there was a total of 13 of us, 6 girls and 7 guys.

We played Rock Band (the singing talent was hysterical), the guys played Modern Warfare 2 for a while, we played pool, darts, Taboo (kind of...), and just hung out. We ordered 9 boxes of pizza (but got 10, thank you Pizza Hut for messing up our order), and had snacks and drinks. Dad wrapped Halie's car as payback (they have had this ongoing wrapping thing for quite some time, Halie is going to get Dad and Kole good next time, I just know it). Everybody left by 11:30 (then I went and CRASHED... my Friday night bedtime is like nine, and that is with a nap afterschool!) and the mess this morning wasn't actually too too bad.

It was fun to see and hang out with everybody after-school. Quite a few people said that this should be a monthly thing rotating houses each time. Whatever the case, it was a lot of fun!

A pretty good day :)

Typically the sound of the alarm is NOT welcomed at all in my world. Ever. Therefore, I always time my radio to where it turns on right before my alarm goes off (or I just never turn it off, which is what usually happens), and so 6:00 is made a little bit better. This morning my new all time favorite song "Our God" by Chris Tomlin was just starting when I woke up this morning, I was happy.

I actually didn't hit the snooze-alarm too many times this morning (considering I fell asleep at like midnight), and had time to get ready. Well, I get ready in 1st period considering I have swimming, so it doesn't take much at home before I leave. I can still manage to roll out of bed and be out the door in 15 minutes. It's awesome!

Then I decided I was actually going to not wear my hair in a swimmer's bun for like the first time all week. So I straightened it, and it was really pretty. BUT (the one downer of my day) somehow the chair that was in the locker-room was still wet from whoever sat down after practice yesterday, and so my jeans were soaked. Luckily, by the time I finished getting ready in the locker-room they were pretty much dry. *phew*

School was a pretty uninteresting day. Took notes in English III AP for some new essay, began a new project in art (as much as I didn't wanna take that class, it's my one fun-class, and I actually really like it), I signed up more people today than I had any other day combined for Relay For Life during lunch. I even got the comment from Shannon and Matt that my "uncorruptness and innocent combined with my blond moments" make their day better and more interesting. Glad somebody finds humor when I don't get their dirty jokes! Physics was boring as usual (but I don't think Amadio made fun of me for saying something stupid. although i did trip over an eraser..) We took notes and watched Cartoon Network in APUSH, and our big video project's due date got moved till Monday (although I finished it before I realized it was due later). Pre-cal actually made sense today, and Hallmark called me one of the smart kids (which is totally untrue in precal, I learn it right before we have a test or a quiz).

Then inbetween 6th and 7th periods somebody pulled the fire alarm, so we all got to hang out outside and it was really nice weather. So that was enjoyable and we got out of 5 minutes of class. WHOO! Then in 7th I am now 2 weeks ahead of where we are supposed to be in BCIS (yahooooo for not takin' comp sci).

Then after school I talked to Denise for like 10 minutes which was nice. And the weather was gorgeouuss so I got to drive home with my windows down and my radio up. My favorite song was playing AGAIN!!

Now I'm going to go take my puppy for a walk around the bike path and come home and study for physics, apush, and pre-cal. I need to go to Barnes and Noble and get books to read over Spring Break while camping sometime, but that can wait till this weekend.

It's been a pretty good day :)

My Life: Picture Format [6 and Under Edition]

I did this on facebook quite some time ago, and figured I'd do it here too. My Life in Picture Format, enjoy!

I loved to spend summer days up in Iowa out on the Mississippi River. Grandpa would always let me help drive the boat while Dad and my uncles all skiied. Eventually, I'd learn to tube and water-ski too :)

I was only semi-crazy about Minnie Mouse. I mean, it's not like I had any stuffed animals or blankets or T-shirts or anything...

Naps with Gizmo and my baby doll

This is one of my ALL time FAVORITE family pictures. Maybe cause it's in black and white and I love black and whites??

Gizmo and I were close ever since I was born. Unlike Dad and Gizmo..

Always been a Daddy's Girl

Maybe I was predestined to go to A&M?

I dunno WHAT Mom was thinking. I'm pretty sure this is the only time I wore a dress that foo-foo-frilly. *gag*

POLAR OPPOSITE! Tom-Boy to the max here. Although I'd totally do this to gross somebody else out, I'm not sure I'd free-willingly pick up a crawfish just for fun.

I loved Grandma's garden when I was little. It looks like I'm trying to immitate Mary Poppins though (isn't she the one who flied by an umbrella?)

As I said before, always been a Daddy's girl. Oh, and random fact.. Iowa grass is the best. There's no ants :)

Mom liked to dress Kole and I matching. Oh my. We look like sailors!

This is another one of my favorite family pictures. Maybe because it describes us so perfectly? Chaotic? Yeah, that's us. It's really funny to contrast it to the picture that followed where we are all sitting in order and smiling.

Christmas Time

Before Kole was old enough to cut down the Christmas Tree I always stubbornly tried to do it myself. And never could, so Daddy would always end up helping me. This year, Kole cut it down by himself.

I've never been the best diver...

Corn on the cob (especially GOOD corn on the cob that you can ONLY get in Iowa) has always been a favorite of mine. I can't wait till I get my braces off an can have it again!!

I've graduated in Cy-Falls green once before.. look's like I'll be doing it again here soon (one more year, one more year)!

The green baby's that I never went anywhere without. I think I probably had a total of like 4. Now one lives up with my cousin Leah up in Iowa! When we went to visit this summer, I thought it was soo cute how she still called it "Green Baby".. You know us Zieman's... so original :)

I remember Mom coming in and me refusing to let her take my picture while I was reading because I thought it'd look dumb. So Mom told me to pretend to be reading. Haha

I clearly remember when this bear was bigger than I was. I thought it was HUGE! It's still in our attic, so tiny now!

Black and whites are my favorite!! We have a picture taken a little over a year ago by our friend Missy, and we are in the same kinda position. I've edited a photo that says "Time may change, but siblings never do" or something like that. =)

The next edition will be coming soon!!! But now off to church!!!

Flashback pictures (Warren)

Being able to type a blog off my ipod is SO convenient, especially considering I have a free period 1st and 7th. So this morning when I was blogging about RFL in 1st period, I was thinking about old pictures I had of Warren and I, but couldn't figure out how to attach them using the app I was using. And I completely crashed after school today, so didn't attach them to my original post. But, here they are!!

Kole, Warren and I. Warren and I would typically play dress up, and he would always wear my wigs and hats and make me laugh

Warren and I playing dress up

When I would go visit Warren in the hospital. I never thought anything of it, now hospitals freak me out

An Easter Egg hunt at Warren's house. We did everything together.

I remember countless hours of playing on the computer together. I don't think we EVER got bored of it either.

Kole's birthday party one year, somehow more of my friends always got invited.

Warren's 10 Year Remission Party. We hadn't seen each other in years. I sure do miss him.

Relay for Life

According to The American Cancer Society "Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against this disease". At RFL, teams camp out at a local high school and take turns walking or running around a track. RFL is an overnight event (in our case 7pm-7am) because "cancer never sleeps" and neither will we this night.

When Mina and Andrew came and asked me if I would help sign people up for RFL during lunches at Falls, I told them I'd help out. I honestly wasn't too thrilled about it, giving up my lunch was not something I was looking forward to. I am REALLY bad at saying no when somebody asks me to help out though, so I was dragged in.

For the first week or two I signed people up, but we didn't get much support. I didn't really wanna help out, nobody I knew was being affected by cancer then, I wasn't personally interested.

Three weeks have past since I told Mina and Andrew I would help them out. My attitude has COMPLETLEY changed. One of my friends from Aragon was diagnosed with Leukemia a little over a week ago. A teacher my mom works with was also diagnosed with Leukemia last week. And Layla Grace is a precious two year old dying of cancer. Within a month my life seems full of people battling cancer.

And then I remember Warren. He was one of my best friends growing up, and he also had cancer. I remember going to the hospital every other day to see him. When he lost his hair during chemotherapy, he would always play dress up with me and would always wear my girly wigs, just to make me laugh. I loved Warren, didn't make a diff if he was sick or not.

I wonder how three weeks ago I wasn't concerned and ready to do my all to help this fight. How was I concerned about giving up my lunch to fight cancer??

I'm doing my all now to help RFL. I'm going to help Mina and andrew here at falls, sign up as many people as I can. I'm going to try to get a group going at langham to support Devin, and talk to somebody I know at samspon to see if they would be interested in getting a team together for RFL.

RFL is not for another month and a half, but until then I'm going to do my best to get as many people signed up. For Devin, Layla Grace, mrs Katrina, and Warren. For everybody.

"... so there can be a world with more birthdays" -- American Cancer Society