Allons-y Alonso! Summer 2013

Hello bloggers!

Well...it has been awhile! So, hello again. Hope things are swell for everyone!

Summer 2013 is coming to a fast close. I hate endings. I hate goodbyes. But that's life! I just posted pictures of my summer to my facebook account, and it made me realize that I did have a great summer. Well, it was both horrible and wonderful. I originally was going to stay out in Utah for the summer, but then health problems brought me home. I have been in and out of doctors offices, done multiple procedures, and tried a plethora of medications, and we still don't know exactly what is going on with my tummy. But I can function better than I could at the beginning of the summer, so I am grateful for that! It has been hard trying to cope with the reality that stomach problems are my life now, trying to figure out how to adapt, and trying to live with the inconvenience of having stomach issues. I would be lying to ya'll if I told you I conquered all of these things, but I haven't. I am trying though, which I think counts for something! 

The highlight of my summer has been being with my southern friends. They knew how to stop the tears, how to make me feel better, how to distract me, and how to make me laugh and put things in perspective. So bloggers, here is the highlight reel of my summer!!

KATIE:

We are nuts. We are random. We are nerds. But no one in this universe can make me laugh as hard as she can. Saying goodbye to her always sucks, and she is one of the few people I will hug (haha). We saw each other almost every day, either studying for our respective grad school tests, watching Dr. Who (she loves David Tennant, I love Matt Smith, but we agree to disagree), shopping, having dance parties in the car, or listening to me cry about my frustrations, she is always there for me. I am so glad I got to spend time with her this summer. She kept me sane and she kept me laughing, which made a huge difference. She's my BFFL. We endure the struggle together! 


LAUREN:

And then there is my bad ass marine best friend. The beginning of the summer was spent with her, in between her work outs and general awesomeness. Then she left for 6 weeks to go to Officer Candidate School. I had been planning to go to Quantico for her graduation for over a year, and it was the only thing this entire summer that was supposed to happen. No matter what, I was going to make it to her graduation. Seeing her in her uniform, marching with her fellow graduates, was the best moment of my summer. I am so unbelievably proud of her. She is the bravest person I know, and she doesn't quit! I look up to her for strength and bravery. And we are always good for TV marathons, naps, and cookies. I missed spending time with her this summer, but we will have next summer! And we are the queens of long-distance communication and goodbyes.

FAMILY:

Anyone who knows my family, knows we are nuts. Enough said. But I had a great time in Virginia with Nonna and visiting with my favorite Budway family! I even got to see an old college friend, Camie! She and her husband were in the DC area for the summer for his job, so I got to reconnect with her (which we realize we can do in Utah, but it was way more fun in Virginia!!).
  

BECKY:
Always good for a positive thought and inspiration, it was so great spending time with her this summer! Best thoughts and prayers to one tough cookie, who doesn't let anything get her down!

And then there were the random adventures along the way. Going to the aquarium, the lake, shopping the Nordstrom sale and getting locked in our dressing room, the late night Racetrack runs, the TV marathons, hanging out with my favorites Parker and Maddy, going to camp Twitch and Shout, and lots of laughter. Overall, it was a tough summer. But it was a summer full of love and support. It was a grown up summer as we all realized how fast life is moving. The big kid world is only months away, but I am so grateful for everyone who was there to support me this summer. For everyone who loves me, and for the amazing friends and family I have been blessed with. I love you all.

So remember...

All good things happen to those who LOVE.