Corbs...

I started writing this blog post at 3:30pm which means Corbin comes home in approximately...

3 days 3 hours and 38 minutes

Now... If you don't understand the significance of 1. him coming home 2. him being gone and 3. my excitement, well I'm going to explain it for you in very simple terms... Corbin has been serving a 2 year LDS mission in Seoul Korea. That means we have no contact with him. We get a weekly email, that seemed to get shorter and shorter as time went on. We get two phone calls a year that are 40 minutes long. And besides that we just keep our fingers crossed and hope North Korea doesn't invade any time soon. So Corbin coming home is an even bigger deal than most because he's my brother but he's also my favorite brother. Judge me, I have favorites. My parents have favorites as well. Daryl is Steve's. Bronson is Michelle's. So Daryl is naturally my favorite sister, Hilary is my favorite sister in law, and Corbin is my favorite brother. He went form 3rd favorite brother to 1st favorite all in a year's time. The boy has skills. So as I said Corbin used to be my 3rd favorite brother. I didn't like Corbin for a long time. I thought he had no sense of style, I assumed he was color blind, and I couldn't believe he didn't get embarrassed with the stuff he did. Now this when I was 17 a senior in high school and he was a little freshman in high school. Flash forward 3 years. Bronson goes on a mission. I get cancer, and BAM! Corbin is my best friend. I soon realized I was just jealous of his confidence, his sense of humor, his lack of care, as well as his dance moves and I also realized, he's my best friend. So let me just tell you somethings I learned from Corbin and just a little bit about him... 

Corbin Don't Give A Crap

Corbin I don't think ever once in his life has cared about what people think about him. He wears ridiculous outfits. He acts ridiculous in public. He gets kicked out of walmart. He runs around shirtless. He runs around in booty shorts. He honestly doesn't care what people think. He literally just doesn't care. I remember my senior year of high school I saw him one. Crawling through the halls doing an impression of Gollum from Lord of the Rings. He was in blue, pink, and green camo shorts. A Brown shirt. And red shoes. If you know me, I match everything including my sports bra, socks, and spandex with the rest of my outfit. I was mortified. I later realized I was an idiot and rather than running from this behavior I should have filmed it, posted it on youtube, and been more like him. Corbin taught me its ok to make people stare because they're going to stare anyways. Might as well make it entertaining for them. 

Dance Like No One's Watching

Corbin can dance. This boy is 6'10" and he can drop it lower than any girl I know and moves his hips as good as Shakira. He also has dances memorized on the game Dance Central and ALWAYS wins. Without fail. He can be on expert and I can be on beginner and he will still quadruple my score. His junior year at Timpview he did the school talent show and him and some friend did a hilarious dance. Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngnp54Ldovo

Now either right this second or the second you finish reading go and watch the dance so you fully understand what I'm talking about. So this dance the boys spent hours practicing! And every night Corbin would come home so mad because Bronson couldn't get an 8 count down and kept messing up the dance. Bronson, unlike Corbin, cannot dance if his life depended on it. He likes to think he can, but he can't. Anyways, so Corbin almost kicked Brons out of the dance the night before the dance. Bronson ended up learning to count to 8 to the beat of the music and was able to perform. Sometimes Corbin and I would just have dance parties. We would blast music in the basement and just dance. He taught me some good moves but he also taught me to let loose and have some fun every now and then. 

Talking In Accents is Funny

When Corb was in high school his friends did the weekly announcements for Timpview High School. They were the funniest characters and went all out with costumes and all. So Corbin played the role of AJ (Aladin Jafar) and spoke in a middle eastern accent and well, it was hilarious. He was so good at talking in all accents. British, Australian, Scottish, Fob... really any accent he mastered in a matter of minutes. He finally shared some tips with me to help my pathetic excuse for a British accent. When I was going through chemo and was having a bad day he always would start talking in a Scottish accent and for whatever reason I just laughed and it was an instant good mood every time. He did this with everyone. Anytime Michelle would get mad at him he would instantly start dancing around like a complete fool yelling all kinds of things in some foreign accent. He did this daily. Multiple times. At home, in public wherever. I'm sure people thought he was crazy, but I couldn't help but just laugh uncontrollably every single time he did this. 

Humor Cures Cancer

A lot of people ask how I beat cancer. There's a lot of things that factored into it. Obviously Dr. Martha, buying a cat, modern medicine, sleeping a ton, and wearing a onesie everyday all are huge contributing factors. I didn't realize though Corbin was the biggest factor of it all. As mentioned before, anytime I was having a bad day he took it upon himself to make sure my mood was better. He always was telling me jokes. Saying funny comments. Doing stupid things to make me laugh. Our favorite thing to do was at the Huntsman was he would pretend he had cancer. I know that sounds so bad but it was hilarious. Everyone knew he was joking, but it put a smile on my face. At the time he was minorly obsessed with the movie Tangled and would dance around with his Rapunzel doll singing the songs, brushing her hair, and dancing like a complete fool. He made me laugh every day. Even the days I wanted to throw the towel in and just cry he would always come to my rescue. He literally saved my life at a time I needed it most. Besides being funny he spent every day with me. He missed so much school to make sure he was there for every doctors appointment, every treatment, and every time I needed him. He assisted me in escaping the house, hiding from Michelle, and always would bring me Wendy's chicken nuggests because they were the one thing that sounded good. Most of all he made me laugh and forget about the chemo and the nausea and whatever else was happening for a moment. Thats what really helped me beat cancer.

So what it comes down to in the end... Corbin comes home Friday and I couldn't be more excited! It will be the first time my family has been together in nearly 4 years. When Bronson left I had hair to my waist, Daryl had buck teeth, and Devin was fat. When Corbin left I had short blonde hair, Daryl was perfect straight teeth, and Devin had braces and wasn't as fat. And now Corbin is coming home. My hair to long again, Devin is skinny, Bronson is married, and Daryl looks like she's 28. As you can see much has changed at the Kaufusi house! I'll let you know how Friday goes, I'm planning on an amazing weekend with my brother and coaching a little basketball.

Side note... I was currently hired as the JV coach at Copper Hills High School! Woot woot. As sad as I was to not get the job at Timpview, I'm actually really happy I didn't. I've been at CH for a little over two weeks and to be honest, I have learned so much. The way the program is ran is amazing! Not to mention the awesome support from the parents and the girls. I'm all too excited for this new adventure, yes its a little bit of a drive but its actually faster from my office to CH than it was to Timpview. I'll definitely miss my Timpview girls. Especially spending time with Daryl, but I'm excited for this new adventure that's ahead. Go Grizzlies!

Have a happy father's day as well!


Alexis

This Ones For the Girls...

This post has taken me a long time to post. I actually wrote 3 posts prior before this idea came to me. I was scrolling through my twitter feed and I saw a quote by Maya Angelou. I apologize for her French but this quote just hit me for some reason:

"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a b****. 

You've got to go out and kick a**."

- Maya Angelou

After reading this quote I realized I needed to post something for the girls. Being a girl isn't easy by any means. Girls have to deal with periods, carrying a baby in their belly for 9 months, menopause, getting boobs smack in the middle of the awkward years, and are usually expected to wear make up and dresses on the regular. Maybe that was too blunt of a statement... but its the truth! I was raised in a very open home so I apologize but life's just easier when you're blunt honest and up front about things. Back to this quote, with the recent passing of Maya Angelou a lot of her quotes and what not have been surfacing and are being plastered all over social media. Like I said, this one stopped and caught my eye. With high school graduations happening and everything I've also been thinking a lot about when I was 18 and what choices I made and didn't make and what exactly got me to this point. I won't lie I'm different than most girls. I was raised with brothers and boy cousins so I don't think like a girl. I don't get my feelings hurt easily. I don't like make up and shopping and dresses. When I fight with someone I don't want to talk about it, cry about it, then hug it out. I want to spend 2 minutes tops saying sorry then go play basketball or xbox about it. When I was 14 and new to Provo most girls my age were so obsessed with Mark Ercanbrack because they thought he was so cute. I was too busy playing basketball with him to really notice. See what I mean? Now I wouldn't call myself a feminist I feel like that's too extreme. But I do see myself equal as an equal to any guy and if anything more skilled. My whole life I've been independent and always voiced my thoughts. When I was in the BYU dorms my freshman year every girl out there wanted to find their "eternal companion" and be married by 19. I was too busy playing Guitar Hero and basketball yet again. Everyday we hear on the news the mistreatment of women around the world and how women are being sold as slaves still. Everyday I see young high school girls get pushed around by a stupid boy or even a girl just scared to say how she feels. So this post is for the girls. Here's my advice to you all...

You Are Good Enough

Having been around high school girls and coaching basketball for a while now I hear everyday "I'm not good enough." Whether that phrase ties to basketball, school, friends, family, whatever it may be you should never not feel good enough. Because the truth is you are. You're probably better than you think. There's no such thing as a perfect human, so why strive for something that doesn't exist? For me I've learned not to compare myself to anyone. Why? Because no one is like me. No one knows my thoughts, my experiences, my feelings, or my ambitions in this life. So why compare myself to someone not even in a similar category? When you stop comparing yourself to others, you actually realize you were too good all along.

Confidence Is Key

I had a roommate in college who everyday told me, "Fus don't forget, confidence is key." I didn't realize exactly what that meant until I was older. But its so true. When you have confidence in yourself and your abilities anything is possible. Confidence is something I never lacked. I probably have too much and am borderline on the cocky side of things. At a young age though I knew what I was good at and what I wasn't and that's where I found my confidence. I didn't find confidence in throwing a baseball with my brothers or singing songs for people. I found it in shooting free throws or sitting down and playing the piano. I think the biggest reason people put each other down is because everyone knows someone with an unwavering confidence can be a scary thing. Confidence doesn't come from being right all the time, it comes from not being afraid to be wrong. So have confidence in yourself! Confidence really is the key to being successful in anything. The second you gain confidence in yourself if also when the sky becomes your limit and anything is possible.

Relationships Can Be Your Enemy

So relationships... Relationships are great. Honestly I see nothing wrong with them, except when they do more harm than good and become toxic. No one deserves being with someone who puts them down, makes them feel stupid, and who doesn't let them think for themselves. Now that I'm older and I look back so many guys that I knew in high school and who were my friends were like that. They wanted to be with a girl who didn't think for themselves and who didn't speak their mind. That's probably why I was always invited to the play Xbox with them rather than be their girlfriend lets be honest. So girls... I don't care who you're with but if you're dating someone who doesn't see the value in you and who treats you like anything less than a Queen, drop'm! Every girls should be treated every day like they're a Queen. 

Don't Let Others Crush Your Dreams

In life I've learned that people, especially authoritative figures in your life, think they know whats right and know whats best for you. That's not necessarily true. I mean yes growing up your parents probably know whats best but there comes a point where you know whats best for you. When I was 14 I remember sitting in a church class and my teacher asked all of us girls where we saw ourselves in 10 years. Every girl said the same thing and I quote, "When I'm 24 I want to be married to a return missionary in the temple and have at least one or two kids." Don't get me wrong great aspirations, just not mine. My response was,"I hopefully will be done playing college basketball and in medical school." My teacher looked at me funny and told me that I needed to rethink my answer because I needed to care more about getting married and starting a family as opposed to a career. I was so mad I left the class. Flash forward 10 years. I played college basketball. Clearly I'm not in medical school. But I'm not married. I have no children, at least that are babies that came out of me. I work full time, I coach basketball, and I'm starting the prerequisites for a Masters degree this August. I look at my friends who are my age who got married at 18 and have two kids and they're happy, but I couldn't imagine myself being married with two kids at this point. What I'm saying is, if you have a dream don't let someone tell you its the wrong one. No one knows your heart better than yourself, so follow it and do whats going to make you happy. Not what society thinks will make you happy.

You Is Kind, You Is Smart, You Is Important

If you haven't seen the movie The Help then come to my house tonight and I'll let you borrow it. There's a scene where Aibileen tells Mae Mobley (little girl she watches), "You is kind, you is smart, you is important." This phrase kind of brings in everything I've said. The English isn't proper, which usually bothers me, but I love it. If every girl from the time they're 2 to 20 heard this, they'll believe it. What a powerful statement that is so simple yet so full of truth. Every little girl, every high school girl, and every woman alive should know that they are smart and important and worth something. That way when the day comes when you're challenged and aren't sure if you can do something or faith in yourself, you'll remember this phrase and you'll know that you are kind, you are smart, and you are important. Seeing the value in yourself is whats going to help you find true happiness.

So there you have it, my advice to you girls out there. Be fearless and independent and know what you're capable of. I love in this day and age so many books and movies and TV shows are having strong female roles. Divergent, Hunger Games, Game of Thrones, Revenge are just a few examples. There are athletes and actresses who are taking over the lime light: Serena and Venus Williams, Hope Solo, Danica Patrick, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift. These are all women who are taking over and making a difference. At the end of the day how can you expect people to value you and your opinion and your abilities if you don't? So start now doing little things to help you see your value and important. Have enough respect to put someone in their place and to walk away from a toxic relationship. It all starts with you. If you love yourself, respect yourself, and have confidence in yourself then everyone else will too. 

So this post might be a little one sided. Little biased, but its how I feel. And I think its just what some people need to hear. But on a side note, its warm in Utah. I think spring is finally settled in and we don't have to worry about a snow storm any time soon. Corbin comes home in just 16 days and  hours. My family is going to Cher is 38 days. Also summer is around the corner. I'm looking for some summer weekend adventures so if any of you are feeling adventurous justa let me know I volunteer as tribute! Cancer update: I'm healthy as a shark (I don't like horses but I do like sharks). Next check up is in November and Corb will be able to come just like the good old chemo days. Anyways, enjoy summer while its here and be safe! Don't forget,

You Is Kind, You Is Smart, You Is Important.

Alexis 

Cancer: So does it hurt or what?

Well can you guess what this post is about? Its crazy to think that a little over 3 years ago I was diagnosed with this terminal illness that was going to probably kill me. Lets all have an honest moment, probably will kill me eventually- if that doesn't get me first the zombie apocalypse will. But on a serious note a few years ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. I could use the proper long official meaning but no one really cares about that because it doesn't make sense to the normal human being. So before I get going on the important stuff, here's the quickie version of how I found out I got cancer... 

Once upon a time I was 21 and a sophomore playing basketball at BYU. One day I noticed large lumps in my neck and face. I was sick all the time and my playing time decreased because I was so tired. After a month of medrol packs and z packs and other antibiotics we decided to do a CT scan because the lumps were getting massive. We found roughly 9 masses just in my neck and face. The next day we did an emergency biopsy and discovered I had stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma. Now no offense to the Utah Valley hospital (I was diagnosed wrong) but the second we found out we booked it up to The Huntsman Cancer Institute. A month later after more tests and biopsies I was re-diagnosed with stage 4 NON Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It took a panel of doctors to diagnose me from around nation. Why? Because the specific kind **Remember the proper long official meaning? So that portion of my diagnoses** that I had didn't match me. The kind of cancer I have has an average age of 60-70 years. Most people die from it within the first 7-10 years of being diagnosed. And once you'e a stage 4 it usually isn't curable. For those new to the cancer world there's 4 stages. Stage 4 is the worst stage and basically means its in your bones, blood, all your organs, and lymph system, and just everywhere. So when I was diagnosed I was 21 and in the prime of my life and it was so strange I had this specific cancer. What wasn't strange was that my Grandma Garrick and her dad my Great Grandpa Kenner both passed away from this exact cancer. So is it genetic? Probably. Anyways I started chemo and did a couple rounds of that, did some chemo in the spine, had some touch up surgeries, and BAM! Flash forward 3 years and I have long hair, I have eyebrows and eyelashes, and I'm not even on any medications.

So there's the quickie version of my cancer story. But now here's a little more in detail about the main question I get asked, Does it hurt? I get asked almost every time someone finds out I have cancer if it hurts or not. To answer your question, yes and no. To really have my answer make sense I'm now going to step by step take you through a normal day at chemo and some other cancer perks...

Accessing the Port, Doesn't Hurt

So when you do chemo most patients get a portacath. Some get a stint in their hand, others get a portacath in their chest. I named my port Pasiley. No Paisley doesn't make cancer hurt. So while driving up to chemo I would also rub lidocaine on Paisley so when they accessed her it wouldn't hurt. Once I arrive at chemo they access Paisley, basically like setting up an IV but they shoot the needle into my port, then they draw blood. Then they clean Paisley out with some saline, then I walk over to the infusion room. Once there I get two wristbands one that says ALLERGY and on that says my name on it. Lastly while waiting to go back a nice lady brings a cart around with free beanies, treats, and snacks. Naturally my family because we love food always hold the poor lady up because everyone wants 4 of everything. The best part is I always got a free beanie at this point in my long day. Simple right? Well the easiest part is over.

Chemo, Hurts

This is the part that people get confused. The actual chemo doesn't hurt physically. Its not like someones beating it in through your port so it hurts. It hurts in a different way. When I did chemo I always like to be in a room with a bed. That way I could just lay there and I could have more visitors back with me. So people don't really understand what you do at chemo. Basically all you do is sit there or lay there. Thats it. Your only job is to keep breathing and try not to throw up. So once I was in my bed they would hook up the first two bags and they would drop in. This took an hour or two depending on how I felt. Some times especially at first I would get really sick during these bags and they would have to drip a bag of water, shoot me up with benedryl, then start all over and drip it slower. FYI there's poison and bad things in chemo so you have weird reactions. So after the clear bags come the manual injections. I always did 6 of these. Now these injections... there are the clear ones, easy. Didn't notice them and they weren't hard. Next were the red ones. The red injection is what makes you sick, lose your hair, and kills everything. Side note, why are these manually? Well if injected too fast you'll die. So the nurse sits with a stop watch and times herself as she injects it so it doesn't go too fast or too slow, that way you don't die. So this red injection I started calling Satan's Punch because it literally makes you want to die. Not to mention it completely burns going down. I remember one day looking around at all the old people, yes it was me the 21 yr old and fifteen 75 yr olds, and they all only had one injection of Satan's Punch. I had three. Then my doctor explained to me they nearly doubled up my chemo dosages because I was so strong physically and so young my body could handle it. Go me... So after Satan's Punch the hard part is over. The next 3 hours I usually sit while the last 2-3 bags drop and I try to sleep this part off. So the actually action of chemo going in doesn't hurt. Its just like having an IV drop but there's chemo in it dripping in. Chemo hurts because it kills everything inside you. Ya you don't feel it killing everything but you see it as your hair falls out or as your skin gets pale. It also hurts because it makes you puke and that's never a fun feeling. So chemo isn't terrible but yes it has weird side effects that hurt. 

Losing your Hair, Hurts

In the movies I've seen about cancer they leave out this part. Its not like you get cancer then the next day after chemo your hair falls out. Its a process that takes about 2-3 weeks sometimes shorter, sometimes longer. For me it took 2 weeks. In order to lose your hair every single hair follicle has to die. In order for this to happen you have to experience a very painful headache. Its amazing because you go to chemo and a few days later you have a bad headache. It feels like your head is under some kind of pressure. Just as you think it isn't going to go away you wake up and its gone. Now when this day happened I remember the doctor telling me when your head stops hurting your hair will fall out. Sure enough that morning as I was drying my hair huge chunks of hair came falling out onto the ground. If you knew me prior to chemo you'd know I used to have hair almost to my waist. When this happened I cut my hair to my shoulders because the doctors said it would help it not be as painful as it was dying. So that night between my teammates and my brother we pulled out my hair and shaved my head. I still have a bread of my original hair actually in a scrapbook at the Gypsy Lair.So not to get confused, when your actually starts falling out it doesn't hurt. Like at all. What hurts is the week before as your hair follicles are dying and your head is throbbing. 

Bone Marrow Biopsies and Spinal Taps, HURT

So these two things I got lucky enough and didn't have to have very many, but good Lord they hurt most out of everything! So bone marrow biopsies. You lay down and they pull down your pants and start giving you shots of numbing stuff. This hurts so bad. I was gripping the sides of the table dripping sweat and biting the pillow. So they do a handful of these numbing shots that kill. Then they stick this HUGE needle in your hip bone and suck out your bone marrow. So this feeling is just awkward and uncomfortable. You can actually feel in inside of the bone marrow leaving your body and its so weird! The best part is when I got my first one done the nurse doing it was probably 5'4" and needed a stool to see over me enough to do it. She had to actually twist and shove and do all kinds of weird things to get the needle in. Being able to hear it go into my hip bone and all that didn't help the cause. So after all that they get this tiny little sample out, well it wasn't good enough. So they had to do it all over again. Oh the struggle of being me. So bone marrow biopsies. So painful and if you can avoid them do so at all costs. Now the spinal tap. So this doesn't hurt but its uncomfortable and well, I passed out during mine. Let me break it down, you curl up in a ball and they put a needle between your vertebrae and shoot chemo all up in your spinal cord. So as they're doing this its just uncomfortable and you feel this pressure back there. So I remember during mine I felt this sudden rush and literally saw this bright light. No I wasn't dying, I just fainted. So what was the bright light? No idea but it was bright and white then dark and I woke up holding my Mom's hand. As mentioned earlier, if you acn avoid bone marrow biopsies and spinal taps at all costs do so. I'd rather offer my pinky finger as an offering than do either one of those again.

So the big question, does cancer hurt? Well yes. At times it hurts psychically, it hurts just as much emotionally and mentally and every other way possible. But is it the end of the world? No. Maybe I have too much of an optimistic look on it all. At the end of the day though that little trial and bump in the road really opened up my eyes. I basically had laser hair removal for a year, I was bald, I got lots of blankets, I didn't have to go to school, and I met a lot of great people. So cancer... Some people don't know how to really approach me about it. Just ask me. I have no problem talking about it! If anything its one of the few things in the world I actually understand so its easy to talk about. But if you can avoid cancer, then do it. That way you wont need bone marrow biopsies, and you won't faint and make a fool of yourself, and you don't have to move back in with your parents for a few years. Anyways, there's my cancer story in a nut shell. If you want the full story shoot me a text or go check out my cancer blog alexiskaufusi.blogspot.com. I hope you all enjoyed your Mother's day! Mine was quite lovely talking to Elder Kaufusi who comes home in LESS THAN A MONTH. Anyways... Well have a good rest of your week and happy Hump Day! 

Alexis

Gypsy Mother 101

With Mother's Day just around the corner I felt like it would be appropriate to blog about the Gypsy. Now my gypsy is a special gypsy and thats because well, shes my gypsy. Michelle has the knowledge of 100 gypsies as well as 100 lifetimes and it just seems appropriate I share some of her knowledge with you all as well as somethings you might not know about her... 

1. McDonalds Has the Best Diet Coke

There is nothing Michelle loves more than an ice cold diet coke, and according to her McDonalds has the best diet coke. Probably because the syrup to soda ratio is lopsided but either way, McDonalds has the best diet coke and its only $1. Now Swig on the other hand has equally as good diet coke, the only issue... Styrofoam cups. Gypsies don't like Styrofoam cups. The sound of styrofoam makes their ears hurt. Mormons are real into the food storage. Michelle's food storage consists of two 12 packs of DC. So if you ever want to make a Gypsy happy take her a diet coke from McDonalds with extra ice.

2. Running Multiple Miles is Fun!

This lesson never really sunk in for me. Gypsies like to run. And by run I mean they will run for 26.2 miles and call it fun. Then a few months later do it again. And as if that wasn't enough they add in biking and swimming for the change of scenery. For some reason gypsies just love to run. They also love to bike through to the top of South Fork, Sundance, and Squaw Peak consecutively just because its a nice day out. Clearly you can see why I never caught onto this. But the trick is, you need to let the Gypsies do this or they will be angry all day! So when your Gypsy needs her alone time to go run, let her go for as long as she needs!

3. A Clean House Is a Happy House. 

As mentioned before in my previous blog if Michelle had a life motto it would be this. A Clean house is a happy house, and by clean house that means immaculate and not a single spec of dust anywhere or you will be punished. This is the way of the Gypsy. If that means cleaning everyday, then you clean everyday. And sometimes if your bed isn't made and you go to school, the Gypsy will come and kidnap you from Timpview and take you home to make your bed. Or you'll come home to find your clothes piled on your bed that were once scattered across your bedroom floor. This makes it nearly impossible to nap. So to make a Gypsy happy you clean as your told and you also make your bed and put your laundry away everyday. No excuses.

4. Gypsies Eat Diet Coke and Baked Goods for Breakfast

Now to maintain a gypsy like figure one must eat quality meals for breakfast... which includes a can of diet coke and a baked good of sorts. Now my whole childhood, teenage years, and even when I was a young adult living with the Gypsy she always made us kids a nice hot breakfast. Usually scrambled eggs, oatmeal, waffles, cinnamon and sugar french toast, banana pancakes, just to give you an idea. While we were eating our heavenly breakfast she was chowing down on frosting dipped graham crackers and a DC. She just loves her sweets. My theory is it gets her going because she wakes up at 5:00am everyday and goes hard all day until 12:00am. I always know she will be awake late if I need someone to talk to. So, when you make a Gypsy breakfast in bed make sure its a diet coke and a slice of cake or something like that. 

5. Gypsies Crave Grandchildren! So They Take What They Can Get...

I'm the oldest of 5 kids and well, I'm approaching 25. Yes I'm 25 I went to BYU and I'm not married. I'm one of the elite. Marriage isn't really my cup of tea at the time and I have more important things to do like watch food network. Now Gypsies love grandchildren. I'm not married, Bronson and Hil are still children playing their respective sports and what not, Corbin is on a mission, and we don't want to see Daryl and Devin on MTVs 16 and Pregnant so Michelle has no grand babies. In the mean time she fills her void by watching my two dogs. When she has Bella my St Bernard I always come home to Bella with pink bows and ribbons. She also is the favorite great Aunt to all my cousins kids. By favorite I mean they love her more than their own mothers sometimes. So until the Gypsy can get some grand babies just plan on your young children loving her more than you after 5 minutes of being with her. Also plan them being fed candy and given treats and toys of all kinds. She has a way with children. 

6. Gypsies Travel All Over and Take Selfies Along the Way

So my Gypsy just like any other Gypsy loves to travel. Some of her favorite spots include China, Laie Hawaii, Boston, San Fran, Portland, and Medicine Hat Canada. Just kidding the Gypsy hates Medicine Hat Canada, but as you can see shes a well traveled Gypsy. She's driving across the US of A multiple times and because of her work she gets to go to some amazing places and takes selfies along the way. She has selfies in places that one can only imagine! Shes so good at documenting her adventures! So if you ever need the 411 on really anywhere in the US or China or Canada you call my Gypsy and she will fill you in.

7. Gypsies Love to Dance

At a young age the Gypsy lady showed talent in the field of Dance and Cheering. So naturally she was cheerleader and a dancer through high school and college. This is how she met Steve. She was a cougarette, he was a football player. Typical love story of a Gypsy and a Tall Dark and Handsome Brown Man. Anyways, even in her older age (by older I mean shes not 20 anymore) she dances. Whether its on our annual Christmas Eve dance party, playing dance central and beating everyone, or teaching a class the Gypsy has rhythm. Sadly to say only one of us 5 kids got that rhythm. Either way Gypsies love to dance! 

8. Gypsies Don't Age

If you compare these two pictures you can clearly see that Gypsies don't age. They manage to maintain a youthful appearance even when they are 62. My Gypsy isn't 62 but I'm sure she will look the same when she is. I mean she has a better body than Daryl and I and shes our Mother! People when we are in public usually ask if she's my sister. I mean, if anything she's probably gotten younger since I've known her. So if you're a Gypsy, well congratulations! You will still look 25 while the rest of us really do look 48. 

9. Gypsies Want to Rule the World

Ok so this statement isn't entirely true but man does my Gypsy do a lot for our little Provo Community. She's the head of the school board and does community counsel and on the board of trustees or something? Ok I won't lie I honestly don't know exactly what she does or her exact titles but she knows everything that happens in the city of Provo and is usually found speaking at big events. I think its because secretly the Gypsies want to take over America but frankly if she were to run the world it would be a good thing. I know for a fact the world would be a much cleaner place, children won't starve, and there would be a World Wide Holiday in honor of Cher.  If you ever want to know anything about whats happening in the little city of Provo just call my Gypsy. She knows EVERYTHING.

10. Gypsies Just Want to Have A Good Time

At the end of the day the Gypsy just wants to have fun! She's all about having a good time and doing whatever is going to be a good time. If that means we are going to steal a crib and push each other in the hallway of the hotel in it then we are. If that means we are going to call Bronson while he's on his mission just to say hi then we will. And if that means taking you and your friends to go toilet paper the girl, who your boyfriend cheated on you with, house then she will do so and fund the whole project. Gypsies are fun and they just want to have a good time so you just let them. Sometimes you just have to sit back watch and shake your head but its all good fun in the end. 

So there are some fun facts about my Gypsy. I really am the luckiest little brat in the whole world to get a mom as awesome as her. Not all moms would put up with my shenanigans and the things I do but she does so and usually smiles about it. If not I buy her a DC and some Cafe Rio and she usually does after. So with Mother's day being this weekend I hope you all give your moms a hug. Especially if she is a Gypsy Mother because those are the coolest ones anyway. Have a great weekend! And if you're Mormon have fun talking to your missionary!!! I know I can't wait to talk to mine. 

Don't forget, hug your Gypsy and buy her a Diet Coke and tell her you love her! 

Alexis

Seeeesters

When I was 6, Steve and Michelle announced we were getting another addition to the family. I remember being SO excited because I wanted a sister so bad! I had Bronson and Corbin and well, I love them. But I was out numbered and I wanted a sister. Steve and Michelle came back later and said we were getting two babies instead of one. Now for a 6 year old thats mind blowing and makes absolutely no sense. But when Steve and Michelle said one was a girl and one was a boy, I didn't even care because at the end of the day I was getting a baby sister. Now the twins came a little earlier than expected and I didn't get to see my baby sister until she was a few days old because she was so premature. Now I remember Steve and Michelle telling me she was really sick. I also remember just bits and pieces I picked up from people talking. For a 6 year old I like to think I was smarter than every one thought because I gathered enough information to know that my sister Daryl was so small she was probably going to die. Once again, mind blown. So I remember every night praying and crying that my little sister would live. Well prayers must be answered because Daryl is definitely alive now 17 years later.

Before I go off about how awesome Daryl is... Here are some fun facts about her you might not know...

• Daryl loves bacon more than life. Its her favorite food and she eats it everyday.
• Daryl is obsessed with polar bears.
• Daryl has a twin brother Devin.
• Daryl used to be a cheerleader.
• Daryl has the dance to Satisfaction on Dance Central memorized
• Daryl and her friends refer to themselves as the "Power of Six"
• Did I mention she loves bacon?
• Daryl will eat anything for breakfast. Costa Vida, fronsting, cookies, spaghetti. Anything. 
• Daryl hates reading books.
• Daryl's dog died and so she really wants a new corgi...

So here's the story of Daryl the princess and me the tom boy. When Daryl was 2 and I was 9 we shared a room. Oh Lord, You wouldn't think I had spent countless nights praying my sister would make it seeing us share that room. Daryl would always get scared every single night and would have to sleep with me. I hated that she wanted to sleep with me. I would tell her to go to Michelle's room upstairs but she was always too scared to go. She would cry usually and end up in my bed. Whenever she would be mad at me she would scratch me. The child had viscous nails like a lion which accounted for many of my current scars on my forearms. No one wanted to make Daryl mad because that meant 1. You were getting scratched and blood would be drawn and 2. You were also getting in trouble from Steve. Daryl is the princess. Daryl loved pink dresses and princesses and wanted to be a princess. When we would go to FAO Swartz she would go immediately to the princess section and try on the dresses and crowns. My Aunt Lisa had a pink robe that she would let Daryl wear because it was the "Princess Robe." Daryl was your typical little girl. Now she still She's very fashionable and wears more make up in a day than I wear in a month. She looks better at Prom and school dances than most girls do on their wedding day. She's just  your typical girl.

Now rewind about 4 years when I was her age. I was the complete opposite. I wanted to play basketball and football. And I was good. I was on a team of all boys and myself. I was the tallest by many inches and I was the only one who could make a layup. We actually have film of me playing and I never passed the ball because the little boys weren't very good anyways. I loved Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles. I always wanted to play the N64 and was always in basketball shorts and high socks and running shoes. I was your typical Tom Boy. Now I feel like most little girls will out grow their tom boy phase. I mean, I know most my friends did. The thing is, I didn't. I still go play basketball with the boys and beat them. I still don't play N64 but I do have my Xbox 360 that I do play. I still wear basketball shorts everyday. In high school Michelle had to make a deal with me I could only wear sweats and basketball shorts 2 out of the 5 school days. I hate shopping for dresses, but if you want to go to Footlocker or Dicks I'll be there in 10. As you can see, Daryl and I are complete opposites.

Now lets fast forward to the present day. Daryl isn't as girly as a girl as she was before. But when she wants to be, she can. I'm still the same, no change here. So how can such opposite little girls become best friends? Well easy, opposites attract. Daryl has become my closest friend. Growing up she was the pink menace that scratched me. Now shes my Wiener Dog and I am dreading her going on a mission because without her for 18 months I might have a break down and be depressed. I might have to relocate to where she serves because someone will need to take care of her. I'm assuming if you have little children or are intelligent you have seen the movie Frozen by now. If you haven't, you can borrow it from me its so good!! It always reminds me of Daryl and I. Daryl is innocent and sweet like Ana. I'm more stand offish and like my space like Elsa. I feel like one day I'm going to have to explain to Daryl that she can't marry a man she just met. When Daryl and I do have to pick dresses Daryl tends to go the conservative route not too revealing with sleeves and flats. I want something shorter, flashier, and a little more revealing with 5 inch heels. We are so opposite.

I won'ts spoil the movie for you if you haven't seen it, but at the end of it all Daryl and I are best friends. She knows everything in my life. I know everything in hers. I may think shes too nice at times and she may think I'm too mean at times. As different as we are we are also similar. I play basketball. She plays soccer. I am obsessed with sharks. She is obsessed with polar bears. I love cinnamon rolls. She loves bacon. We both love sushi. And we both love swig sugar cookies. The bond between sisters is something so strong and it lasts forever. When I go to Daryl's soccer games I'm that annoying fan who yells a ton and when my sister gets hurt you better believe I'm the first one on the field yelling at the ref wanting to know why there was no roughing the keeper call. I have a bad reputation of getting kicked out of Daryl's soccer games I won't lie. 

Daryl and I are 7 years apart just like Michelle and her sister Lisa are. My family actually grew up 5 houses away from my Aunt Lisa for most my life and I got to see first hand what good sisters are like. I hope Daryl and I can be close like that one day. If you have a sister you should probably let them know that you love them. I was never one at expressing my feelings well let alone being emotional and what not but I am so thankful I have Daryl as my little sister. She really is the greatest thing since the Cafe Rio burrito. I got lucky to only have one sister because by default she's my favorite sister. My poor brothers have to fight and battle to get their rankings as favorite brother. Currently Corbin is winning.

On the topic of sisters recently my brother Bronson got married and we got another sister Hilary. Lord bless Hilary because she is a good woman for being married to my brother Bronson. He is the typical little boy. Loud. Stinky. A know it all. She puts up with him well. She also has to deal with my family. We are crazy. I always say we need our own reality TV show because crazy things are always afoot at the Gypsy Lair. Fitting in with a family is never an easy thing to do. Its like moving to a new school. Times one hundred. But Hilary is doing a great job. I mean, your first year of marriage is hard enough now lets throw in a bunch of crazy brown people you now call your family. So I applaud Hilary for first of all living with Bronson and second of all putting up with the rest of us. Sisters just make the world easier. And now with her we have 8 people in the family which means 4 on 4 for family basketball. 

Sisters. Oh sisters. They're the friend that's always going to be there because they're blood. So if you have a sister give her a hug and go watch Frozen. You'll love it and you'll gain a whole new appreciation for your sisters. 

Have a great week everyone! Its only Tuesday but its ok, you can do it!

Alexis

How To Make Life Suck Less...

Sometimes life sucks. Just the way it is. My whole life I have experienced the ups and downs that come with living. Then again my whole life I also feel I have kept an optimistic yet realistic view on everything that has been thrown my way. I have been lucky though because I really haven't had anything too intense happen. I mean I have the ability to taste good food, I have two functioning legs, my eyes work great so I can watch Twilight when needed, I can hear Lorde's music any time any day I want, and I have the ability to speak fluent English and sometimes even in a British accent. Honestly, I have been blessed with a truly amazing and gifted life. At the end of the day though, sometimes life can suck. Sometimes you get 3 speeding tickets a week, or your 89' BMW just doesn't want to start, you get cancer, you might even burn your omelette. Life happens. So, here's my tips on how to make your life suck less. 

Step 1: Buy a Shark Onesie...
Life is better when you own onesies... 

Step 2: Watch Movies with Attractive People

Now don't be concerned, I am not a shallow person or a vain person. I clearly don't care how I look because I wear basketball shorts and a Vans t shirt everyday. I haven't work make up for 10 days now and going strong. And I don't weight 140lbs and don't look like Megan Fox in a bikini. So clearly, I am not vain. But when I'm having a bad day, I watch a movie with attractive people in it and it just makes me smile. So, to make life suck less, stare at attractive people on your TV screen even if their acting is less than perfect. So here are the best 5 movies or TV Shows with attractive people...

• Divergent: Theo Jaemes shirtless, tattooed, and holding a gun. Enough said. 

• Twilight: Robert Pattinson. My love. He can sing, act, and he gets Bella in the end. Kristen Stewart is quite exquisite as well. Put them together, second best vampire couple. 

• Vampire Diaries: Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev. Done! Best vampire duo. Also surrounded by a huge cast of attractive vampires. 

• Pirates of the Caribbean: Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, and Orlando Bloom. Not only is this trio gorgeous, their accents are heavenly. 

• Greys Anatomy: Lexie Grey, McSteamy, McDreamy, Meredith, Owen, Calizona... There's a reason there are 10 seasons of this show. Not only is the drama good, but ALL the doctors are easy on the eyes. If only all doctors were as attractive. 

Step 3: Buy a Dog or a Cat

Imagine the perfect companion. Always there, always excited to see you, never talks back, does what you say, always wants to cuddle, and always wants to be right by you. Get a dog, or a cat. If you don't the means for one, then rent one. Or go see someone else's. Everyday I come home to two dogs and a cat, yes I am a blessed girl. On any given day I know I will always have a cuddle buddy as well as a protector. Bella is hands down the best guard dog that ever existed!! Klaus is afraid of his own shadow so likes to stay right at my side at all times. Lastly Porsche the kitty always always always wants to cuddle. You'd be surprised what a furry little creature could do for your happiness levels...

Step 4: Eat Good Food

Food makes everyone happy. And if food doesn't make you happy well I hope you enjoy your skinny body while I'm busy enjoying my double double from In N Out. But seriously food makes life suck less. Just from my own personal experiences and having common sense, when girls have bad emotional days, they also have good food days. Why? Because food makes life suck less. So take some time and a little extra cash money out of your bank account and go indulge a little. Treat yourself to the best food around! If in your mind that means eating a box of Lucky Charms out of a huge mixing bowl then do so. If that's eating 8 rolls of sushi then do so-- for the sake of your wallet I hope its all you can eat. Spend the extra $5 on dessert. If its deep fried just know its double the calories but doubley delicious! Eat good food.

Step 5: Sing Loud and Proud

For those of you who have been so privileged to hear me sing, well like I said, you're privileged. On any given day, usually driving home from work, you will find me going way too fast on I-15 singing at the top of my lungs. What am I singing? Probably some country or indie. 5 times out of 10 I would guess Lorde. Now when you sing and drive, make sure the music is so loud you can't hear yourself and that you know all the words to the song. Something about driving fast and singing loud and jamming out is liberating. So do it. Your day will become better. Now if your voice is a terrible as mine then those in the car will suffer, but you'll feel better. Be selfish this one time.

Step 6: Make Goals

Growing up whenever the Gypsy made us do our Saturday chores she would write them on this big white board in our kitchen. As you completed your chores you got to erase it from the board. I'm almost 25 and I still do this! Something about erasing things as I do them makes me feel good. So make some goals, write them down, do them, and feel the accomplishment of completing them. Make a bucket list and actually do the things on your bucket list. Travel, bungee jump, sky dive, get a tattoo, drive a race car, see Cher live, touch a shark, go skinny dipping, whatever it is do it! Even if your goal is talk to the attractive individual at Starbucks who you see there every Saturday morning, just do it. Write it down. Do it. Mark it off. I can promise and guarantee you that your life will become exciting and have this new found meaning. Need ideas? I have plenty just ask.

Bucket List Item 5: Go to the San Diego Zoo

Step 7: Lets Get Physical

Go work out. There's a part in legally blonde I love it goes something like, "Exercise gives you endorphin's. Endorphin's make you happy. Happy people just don't kill their husbands." This is a very true statement now. Happy people typically don't kill their husbands, lets be honest most people don't kill their husbands. But go work out! I recently just switched to 24 Hour Fitness from Golds gym. Why? Because playing basketball makes me happy. On nights I'm bored, can't sleep, and am caught up on Greys, I go shoot. The best part is I can go at ANYTIME of the day. There's times when its 12:30 in the morning and all I want to do is go shoot around so I do. Whatever physical activity makes you happy do it. Michelle runs marathons it makes her happy. Steve spends hours standing and walking watering his grass, but it makes him happy. Everyone's physical fitness is at different levels so do something at level and be happy. 

Step 8: Say Thank You

Not only do I make lists on white boards but I also use paper. Sit down and write down the 5 most influential people in your life and write them a thank you note. Then write down the top 5 worldly things you're thankful for and remind yourself everyday how thankful you are for those people and those things in your life that make things easier. Everyday if you're remembering how thankful you are for those around you and those things around you then you'll be happy. I can tell you right now my top 5 for both but I'm not going to. I'll save that for another post. 

So there you have it. How to make life suck less by yours truly. But on a serious note life is too short to really focus on the bad. Yes things aren't going to go how you want. People are to disappoint you. The Lakers will disappoint you. Believe it or not though, things could always be worse. Regardless of what happens we need to see all the good and not focus on the bad. Anyways, keep smiling and go buy some onesies.

Alexis