My Leadership Family

"I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people."

-Mahatma Gandhi  

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To have a group of genuine and caring people in one classroom is a very rare thing.  I am lucky enough to be apart of the Treasure Mountain Junior High Leadership Class which is full of thirty amazing individuals.  Without this class, I would not have built some of the friendships I have now.  AND I wouldn't be as confident in my abilities as a leader.  I used to be unknown to the student body, quiet, weird, awkward, and unimportant.  Because of this class, I have come out of my shell and shown my peers who I am and what I have to offer.  

Some of the incredible people in my class include: Emma Burke, Samantha Bush, Ben Butcher, Marta Myshrall, Matt Whipple, Micaela Berglund, Emma Louden, Leah Anderson, Lauren MacRitchie, Lane Radovan, Evie Edwards, Elaine Prom and SOOOOO many more.  I am so thankful for the relationships I have built, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. 

(L to R) Claire, Marta, and Elaine at the Utah Allies Dinner
Photo Courtesy of Claire

(L to R) Marta, Emma, Claire, and Samantha at TMJH Registration
Photo Courtesy of Claire

From leadership, I have learned to never doubt myself.  Failure follows self doubt, and I have learned that the most important thing is to love yourself.  By telling myself things will work out, they (almost) always do. I have also gained the ability to have an open mind.  In a room full of opinionated and often bossy teenagers, you have to allow yourself to consider other people's ideas and thoughts.  Everything I do in leadership is collaborative and I wouldn't complete any of my tasks without the help of my classmates. 

Anyone can be a leader, and I have learned that the power of my voice is huge.  If I want change, I can make it happen, and don't need to wait around for anyone else to do it.  I am in control of what happens in my life, and it is important for me to take control of things that I am passionate about.  By simply voicing my opinion things the original path can be altered.  Not everyone is perfect, and I have learned that my ideas aren't always great.  We all fail.  It is important to try and learn from your mistakes.  Yet, you can't learn if you don't throw yourself out there.

To put it simply, I am a better person because of the TMJH Leadership class, and I have all of my classmates to thank for that.  Leadership has changed my life in the best way possible. 

Photography, Family, and a Little Fun

Over break, my family went to Springfield, Virginia to see my Aunt Ellen, Uncle Sean, and cousins Alice (6) & Lana (3).  Although it was not my first time visiting the DC area, it was fun to see new places.

For Christmas, I got a Canon Rebel T3i.  I love messing around and taking pictures of just about everything.  My little cousins were the perfect subjects to take photos of.  Their sweet faces and innocence really made the photos special.  I was really happy how they turned out, and all of the photos below were taken by me (at the place listed above the pictures).

We started by driving to a beach in Maryland for the day.

Next, we had a private tour of the Pentagon led by my uncle who serves in the US Air Force.  Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take any pictures for privacy and safety reasons.

Then we ventured to Georgetown Cupcake.  They make the most delicious and incredible cupcakes I have ever had.  If you are ever in DC, stop by this place.

We were also able to get a tour of the United States Capitol building.  It was so interesting to see the old architecture and all of the unique artifacts.

  

To conclude our visit we went the National Zoo.  I have gone once before, but the exhibits were even more amazing this time.

My visit to see my family was truly unforgettable.  I love spending time with my family and I was glad to make some great memories.  Family is the one thing that no one can take away from you.  We have our struggles, but my family is always there for me and I am so thankful to have an amazing support group.  Our family members are the ones that we can drive up with wall with our stupid remarks, call them rude names, and love each other just the same afterward.  

Erma Bombeck said, "The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." 

If there is one thing in life I can guarantee you, it is that family is forever. 

A Promise

(L to R) Me, Dad, Mimi
Photo Courtesy of Mama Claire

It seems that all the time people are making promises.  Many people say that promises are meant to be broken.  After all, promises are usually outrageous, unreasonable deals you make with your friends or family.  Or when a boy tells a girl, "I promise I will always love you." And the next week they're not even together and the boy has a new girl.  Sometimes a person has no choice to break off their promise, no matter how much they want it to happen.  Sometimes things are out of our control.  

In my life, there is one promise that I will never forget being told.  In April of 2007, I remember hearing my dad say he had a business trip around the same time as my birthday.  This meant that he would not be home to celebrate the big ninth birthday with me.

I remember saying, "Daddy, promise me you'll never miss my birthday.  Ever?"

He had promised to do the very best he could.  This is the one promise I will never, ever forget. 

Three months later he passed away unexpectedly.  He has missed six birthdays since.  Like I said, sometimes things are out of our control.  I don't blame him for anything, but I wish that he was here to see me get older.

My dad and me in 2007
Photo Courtesy of Mama Claire

I see my friends celebrating with their families, practicing sports with their dads, calling them to say hi.  Inside, my soul is crying and my mind is racing with all of the reasons why I was given this challenge.  I don't forget promises.  I don't say the past should be forgotten for it will always be apart of me.  I don't ever give up.  What's the point in stopping at an obstacle when there is always a way around it?  My friend once said, "God needed a few good men up there and that is why he chose your dad."  I know he's up there watching me, and I will do everything in my power to make him proud. 

Dad, every time I go on a run, I hear you next to me telling to keep on going.  I feel our feet moving in sync and flying through the wind as one.  This year Running with Ed just so happens to be on May 18th.  Your birthday 49th birthday.  I promise to run with my whole heart and soul, and I know you'll be there with me as a run a total of 10 miles through Park City.  It is my way of telling the world, and you, that no matter what I am faced with, pain, sadness, injury, I will come out even better than before.  

Daddy, even if you can't keep your promise to be here for my birthday, I promise to always be here for yours.  See you there.

With love, 

Claire 

In Loving Memory of Jeff Breiholz

May 18, 1964-July 20, 2007

"Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true."

YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD

You are never too old to have a babysitter.  Am I right?  I think yes.  This past week my mom went out of town so her old teaching partner, Magen, came and watched us.  We've known Magen for a long time, and there are always new adventures.

Rubie and Magen.
Photo Courtesy of Mama Claire 

My family's dog, Rubie, always gets very depressed when my mom leaves because my mom and Rubie are best friends.  Rubie gets so delusional that she even lets ME hold her.  Usually she bites me.

Anyway, there are many responsibilities that my mom has.  Magen does her best to do the following:

• Clean-up after meals
• Feed and take out the pets (Rubie-dog, Henry-dog, Max-dog, and Willie-cat) 
• Make dinner
• Make sure I get up in the morning
• Drive me to the bus stop
• Keep the peace between Mimi and me
• And much, much more

The cutest little Henry
Photo Courtesy of Mama Claire

This week wasn't too busy in regards to my lacrosse schedule, so Magen's responsibilities were even less than usual.  The most odd job she has is to make sure that the little dogs sleep on her bed (Rubie and Henry).  My family coddles our animals a tad too much, but they are just so cute it 

is hard not too.  On Wednesday, I came upstairs after showering and getting ready for school, and Henry was sleeping on the coach.  All alone.  I went and picked him up and noticed that his "spot" was very warm and it indicated that he had slept there all night.  It made me so sad to think that Henry was alone upstairs.  To be honest, Henry is not the sharpest tool in the shed.  He is partly deaf and really can't understand anything.  

After that incident, everything else went smoothly.  Magen is super fun, and I was sad to see her go.  But, it is always nice to have my mom back home!

Parents: A Blessing in Disguise

A parent is someone who embarrasses their children every chance they get, makes three meals a day, nags about the same stuff constantly, and no matter what, loves unconditionally.  I am a lucky girl to have such a wonderful family.  Even if we disagree frequently, I will admit that my mom is the strongest, happiest, most generous person I have ever met.  She is a second grade teacher and puts so much love and work into her job.  One day, when I'm a teacher I hope to be as great as her.  Then there's my sister.  She is a handful, but has her lovely moments.  (Oh, you may be wondering why I am not sharing a story about babysitting... My reason is to simply express my thanks to my great life during this holiday season.)

Let's get started with ten reasons why I love my family:

1.) I was given a "pony ride" practically every night until I was too heavy for my dad's back.

May 2003. Photo by Melinda

2.) No matter what, I am loved unconditionally.

1998. Photo by Melinda

3.) My family tolerates me even when they know that I am a crazy nut.

2000.  Photo by Melinda

4.) I am allowed to pursue my interests.

Spring Championships 2012.  Photo Courtesy of Julie Shipman.

5.)  My mom cares so much about me and wants me to succeed in everything I do.  A great example is teaching me to ski...

 Photo by Jeff. 

6.) I am allowed to blow out the birthday candles even if it isn't my birthday. 

 May 2003. Photo by Melinda.

7.) I am taken on amazing vacations where I am able to experience new cultures.    

April 2012.  Photo by Nancy.

8.)  My sister, Mimi, may be a pain but I would be so bored without her! 

2001.  Photo by Melinda.

9.) Happiness is easily achieved.

November 2012. Photo by Mimi.

10.) Crazy ideas are never turned away.  Below are pictures of a Christmas tree that we cut from our yard.  And yes, it was almost as tall as the ceiling and was leaning on a chair so it didn't fall.

Christmas 2009.  Photos by Melinda.  

To conclude this all, Mama Claire would not be here without tips, tricks, and love from her parents.


***For my next post, I will be writing tips for babysitters.  Please comment below with things you need help with or would like to know about.
P.S. Thanks for the idea, Micaela.  :)