My Struggles & Triumphs of 2019

At the beginning of every year, like most people, Kyle and I sit down and write individual and family goals for the year. I had high hopes for this year and wanted to push myself to a new limit. Well, as life tends to be, this year has been quite challenging. 

Here are some goals from my list:

• Write in my journal daily
• Write out a daily list of desired accomplishments
• Finish the Book of Mormon
• Read more (and also read more diversely)
• Enroll in Fall Semester ( I had taken a break after having Lucy)
• Lose baby weight and have a healthier lifestyle

I wanted to really focus on myself this year. I felt like my spirit had suffered from the unusal trails we had gone through, especially the last 2 and a half years at the time. I haven't read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover since I was in high school, and even then, I did it mostly out of obligations through seminary and Sunday school. I know I believed it to be true, but did I really? Did I have an immovable and unshakable foundation in The Book of Mormon? It was time to put my faith to the fire and make a commitment to myself and God that I would read my scriptures every single night. 

My faith had suffered immensely. I had a difficult time wanting to go to church, wanting to pray, and wanting to read my scriptures. I was angry at the hand that I was dealt. I felt like what I was dealing with is something no one in their twenties should have to deal with. I was angry at the people around me that I allowed to drag me down to their level. A level of hopelessness and bitterness. I was angry at a friend who Kyle and I tried to help, as he turned around and took advantage of that help instead of using it to help himself out of his situation. I didn't realize it at the time, but my spirit was waning, it was hurting and bleeding and desperately needed to be nourished. 

Right after I made this list, we found out that the house we were living in, we had to move. I was devastated. It hit me harder than I care to admit. I have always been a problem solver. I have always been known to trudge through and make it work, no matter what. I felt like I haven't been that person in a long time. I let the weight of the last 3 years of everything that has happened bury me. 

Kyle and I tried to figure out what to do for months, and nothing seemed right. We were being severly underpaid due to his current employer at the time not wanting to acknowledge his probationary certificate for teaching, and we were rubbing pennies togehther as a result. We decided that we could live with the paycut and work on his 5 year certificate in the mean time, and going into the next school year, get a pay raise as a result. A few months after we made that decision, we found out we would have to move. We were very limited in options financially, since we went with Advantage Academy back in August, and I was 7 months pregnant with Oliver. 

As that was going on, things were very stressful at work for Kyle, and also we were dealing with his parents and nursing homes, and Kyle's Dad getting kicked out what seemed like every few months due to a failure of not qualifying for Mediciad because of an apparent error in the application. Since Kyle is an only child, it was all on us. I won't go into the nitty gritty details, but I will summarize it as pure hell. 

Then comes the end of March, when my beautiful handsome Oliver was born. It was an exepreience that I am still working through. I go between being so grateful that both he and I are safe and healthy, from that fact that I almost died, and he almost died, to being told I can't have any more children. It was the most traumatic expereience I have ever gone through. I know I am immensly blessed, and I hold to that when I can. Other times, my mind drifts to that horrific night, and what happened and what cannot be undone. 

After I returned home from the hospital, I had about 3 and a half weeks to pack and up and find a place to go. It was a month earlier than we had anticipated. It was very difficult trying to heal from a very painful c-section, caring for a newborn and a 1 year old, and packing and STILL not really knowing what to do and where to go. In fact, I was put on 8 weeks rest instead of the usual 6 weeks due to continued bleeding. 

All while going through this, I'm reading my scriptures everynight (or darn near). I was bound and deteremined for me to at least accomplish this!

During General Conference Weekend ( twice a year, the LDS church holds a General Conference where members and anyone from around the world can listen on talks about the Savior and His Gospel teachings), Kyle had a prompting about what to do with our current situation. His Mother has always wanted to live in Missouri again where she is from, but never had the oppurutinity. With Gary being in a Nursing Home, and the nightmare that has been ongoing with all that, in a matter of two weeks, Kyle obtained POA for his Dad, found anpacked up for his Mom, drove the moving truck and (with the help of amazing church members we didn't even know!) moved his Mom to Missouri, got a new Medicaid application going, moved us into his childhood home for us to take over, and get His Dad approved for Medicaid so he has the best care he can recieve.

None of that would have been possible without the Lords help. 

I want to end this post on my own revelations and thoughts after finishing the Book of Mormon. 

I learned that the reason why I am feeling like I can't perservere is because I'm not letting the Savior into my heart to help me share those burdens. We can only take so much in this life. Life is very difficult, even when we try our best to make the best choices and avoid mistakes. It is so easy for life to get in the way of everything, such as our marriages and other realtionships, and especially our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. We can't allow those things to get inbetween these sacred relationships. 

I finished reading the Book of Mormon today. I can't tell you how accomplished I feel in doing so. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, I know that it testifies of our loving Savior Jesus Christ and the love we need to share with all those we come across. Even if you are not of my faith, but are a believer in Christ, you too can benefit from its pages. You can benefit from the love and devotion it teaches of the Savior and our loving and merciful Heavenly Father.

I have knocked several items off my list. I have read about 6 different books this year, I finished the Book of Mormon, I've been starting my exercising again, I write a daily list of what I want to get done each day, I write in my journal often, I enrolled in the fall semester and am doing well so far. 

This year has been tough for a lot of people I know and care for. My advice is to hold on to the love of our Brother and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through Him, anything and everything is possible. 

Love to all,

Katie B

A 10 day social media diet, and a search for answers.

I can't believe it's already March of 2019. Where did the time go? Lucy will be one at the end of this month. When people say that they grow up fast, they really do. This year has flown by. She has taught me so much about myself. She's helped me discover new strengths that I never knew I had, and weaknesses that I know that I need to work on. Being a Mother is the best and most fulfilling thing I've ever done in my life. It's also the most difficult thing I've ever done in my life. But it's a divine calling that I know God has called me to do, and I take that with honor and take it all one day at a time. 

I wanted to share an experience I recently encountered. Back in October of 2018, the Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Russel M. Nelson, challenged the women of the church during the General Women's Conference to do four things:

1. Participate in a 10-day fast from social media and any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind.

2. Read the Book of Mormon by the end of 2018

3. Establish a pattern of regular temple attendance

4. Participate fully in Relief Society

I shamefully admit that I didn't engage in any of these challenges that President Nelson asked of us. It wasn't until February, while reading the February Ensign, where a summary from his talk came up that I revisited this challenge. 

This year has already thrown it's curve balls at us. I won't go into it, but it's been heavily weighing on my mind, and has put me in and out of pretty bad funks. I feel lost and clueless as for what's best for our growing family. With Oliver coming the beginning of April, things need to be figured out quick, and fast. I also feel like I needed some reorganizing in priorities in my life (other than being a Mother, which is always my first priority). I wanted to be more spiritually centered. I wanted that constant companionship of the Holy Ghost that I desperately need right now. So, I decided to do a "social media fast" for 10 days. 

Day 1 was hard. Really hard. You don't realize how much you get on and how bad the habits are unless you consciously try to abstain from it. Instead of checking Facebook when I had some down time, I would get on the LDS Gospel Library app. I also am trying to finish the Book of Mormon before the summer, as a part of President Nelsons challenge. I was able to focus on the things that I was struggling with, and trying to seek spiritual answers and promptings. 

I didn't go the full ten days. I made it to 8. (The Kelly Clarkson concert broke my social media "diet"). But I learned a lot in those 8 days.

I learned that social media is such a good thing when used appropriately. Kyle and I tag each other in news articles, posts, and so on. I love seeing what my friends are up to and the amazing things going on in their lives. 

I learned that I can get on way too much, and I can benefit from not having my phone on me, 24/7. 

I learned that I really enjoy reading the church Ensign, and I always feel a sense of peace when I read the articles that are written.

I learned that I need to post more about my faith. I don't do that enough. I need to use it as a tool to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ for those that are willing to hear it. 

I've gained a habit of reading my scriptures every day, something that I did not do before. I know I need to establish these habits now, so I can set a good example for my children when they are old enough.

I learned that I need to rely on God to help me with my struggles. That is something that I don't do enough. I feel as though I need to solve the problems that come my way, and not use Him for guidance. That is not the way to be. I need to go to Him with everything and submit my will to the Lord, for He knows what is best for my family.

I am still searching for the path forward in the next coming months, but I do know that changes are on the horizon. Becoming a Mom has changed the way I think. I know I'm going to make mistakes, that's inevitable. But I want to try and minimize those mistakes as much as possible, and include the Lord in all my decision making, both big and small, so I make the right choices for my children. They are greatly effected by any and all decisions Kyle and I make, so, like my Father always says, "measure twice, cut once". 

I'm going to continue to work on letting the Lord in and submitting myself to His will. It's a process. My goal is to be a little bit better than I was the day before. I will continue to re-prioritize my life, make the Spirit my constant companion, and search what His will is for our family in the next few months. 

I hope this post finds everyone well. 

Happy Sabbath. 

With Love, 

Katie B.

Leave People Be: A New Moms Perspective

Lately, it seems I have started the last several blog posts with "I know it's been a while...". Well, it really has been a while, since the end of last year. With school, being a new Mom, and everything else going on in my life, it's hard to keep up, but  here I am, nonetheless. 

I wanted to talk about something that has been on my mind the last month or so. 

Mom judgement & judgement in general.

In just a few short months of being a new Mom, I have been criticized for some of the silliest things. Here's a few:

I don't take my baby outside often enough

My baby is outside too much (by the same people, mind you)

I'm a bigot with who I allow/don't allow to watch my child

I hold her too much

I don't hold her enough

I'd rather play video games than be a Mother

I'm being a religious Mormon zealot for not letting my daughter around cigarette smoke

The list goes on..

Initially, I let those things bug me. I mean, really bug me, to the point of tears. I just didn't understand why people would purposely go out of their way to think ill of something they really know nothing about. Kyle told me that not everyone thinks the best of others and tend to tear others down just to make themselves feel better. No matter how old I get, I will never understand that. 

I have many many flaws. I'd fill up several blog posts on how many flaws and imperfections that I have. But one of my strengths is compassion. I always try to see how the other person is feeling, no matter the situation, before I make an assumption. Always. Especially the older I have gotten and the more I lived life. I, in my naive mind, assumed most people do the same thing, but it turns out, they don't. 

Why must people judge others so harshly just because "that's not the way I do it"? I don't understand this. Why must others judge because they have a huge support system in their life, who want to be apart of their childrens lives? Just because they didn't have that, no one should? Why must others judge the way people parent, as long as the child is unharmed and thriving? Why can't we just live and let be? 

Most of the people in my life and who I know are this way. They are kind, compassionate, loving, and more than willing to share their own experiences. I'm grateful for all of you who are so understanding and sympathetic towards others, no matter the situation.

We all are guilty of judging someone. I know I definietly am. I would be lying to you if I said I never have done it. I try to catch myself when I do, and ask myself, "If I were them..." or the best gotcha, "What would Christ do?". 

Self reflection is important. In the last two years especially, I have understood why being prideful is truly a sin. It can cause so many downfalls. Like broken marriages, broken friendships/relationships, isolation, etc. When we are prideful, we miss out on oppurutunities to grow and serve others. I have seen that in people throughout my life, and I see the consequences unfolding, even though they do not. It causes me to check my own self, and become humble and meek. 

So, what's the point here? 

My point is, I don't understand why people just cant leave people be. It's ok to not agree. We are all different and have different ways of doing/handling things. That's a no brainer, but people lack understanding. Why is that? I'm not sure, to be honest with you. Maybe those people are consumed in their own hurt and feeling misunderstood so they do the same to others? I honestly don't know. 

As a new Mom, I'm learning as I go. I'm going to school, studying something that for me, is difficult yet worth obtaining, and I'm a wife trying to maintain a marriage. It's alot, but I asked for all of it. I wouldn't want it any other way. 

Try this with me, serve others where you see a need, even if it's just saying hello. Forgive someone who you haven't yet forgiven, or at least start on that path. Try to find middle ground with someone who you adamantly disagree with politically, or in general. Pray for someone who you don't want to pray for. By doing these things, it enhances our ability to understand and be sympathetic to others, which is what I think the world needs right now. I know I need to work on these things daily, that's for sure. 

Back to the beginning of my post. All of those things that I was accused of/attacked for? It doesn't really bother me that much anymore. It does from time to time, and I get very angry, I'll be honest. I have been afriad to post about going on a date night, or playing a video game while Lucy is asleep because of the crap I got. But then, I stop myself. I remind myself that I am giving a few people's opinions way too much power over my own, and that needs to stop. I remind myself of who I am, the things that I do, and the good that I try to do, and it fades away. The more experience I recieve as a Mom, eventually, I'm sure those judgements won't even phase me, but until that day, I'm working on it.

Love you all. 

~Katie B.

Farewell, 2017!

I always like to reflect on the year before I wish it farewell. 2017 had its fair share of ups and downs for Kyle and I, but I can't help but smile as I wave it goodbye and label it as one of the best years of my life. 

2017 has refined me. I feel like I've been put in the fire and molded into the woman God wanted me to be. This is the year I rediscovered how much God loves me and is aware of my struggles. 

The day I found out I was pregnant was a day I'll never forget. I was sitting in church, feeling sorry (and angry) for myself. I was mad at life and what it had dealt Kyle and I. All the things out of our control began to consume me. I was sitting in church, watching all the families play with their kids, and I felt like I didn't belong, like something was wrong with me. Most days I didn't let those kind of things bother me, because if I did, I wouldn't be able to live my life. Every once in a while, those days came and they bogged me down. August 13th was one of those days. I asked Kyle to take me home after sacrament meeting because I just didn't want to be there anymore. I cried to him in the car how hard it was for me to be there, and that I was done with trying and I couldn't handle it anymore. I couldn't handle trying and dealing with everything that we were dealing with at the time. I just wanted to wave the white flag.

I was also cramping insanely bad for the last week or so leading up to this, and I thought something might be wrong with me. I thought that there could be a SLIGHT possibility that I was pregnant, but didn't really let my mind go there. (That's a habit formed over 4 years). I told Kyle that it could be a possibility and I asked him to take me to buy a pregnancy test. When we got home, I immediately took the test. I was nervous because I had switched medicines the week before from my fertility medicine to a weight loss medicine that you are not supposed to be one if you're pregnant. I didn't know what was causing all the cramping. I looked at that test, and couldn't believe it was positive. I immediately started shaking and crying, staring in disbelief. Kyle felt the same. That was one of the best moments of my life. 

The first half of this year was incredibly challenging, but that moment wiped it all away, and I can't help but smile. I felt like God abandoned me the first half of this year. I don't remember feeling that low at any point in my life. But looking back on it now, I know God has never abandoned me. If anything, I abandoned Him. Shortly after finding out we were pregnant, Kyle passed the Teachers Certification Exam, and after working feverisouly, is now certified and has a new job that can support our growing family. We have a wonderful home waiting for us in January, (Thanks to my Aunt Teresa), where we can build a home for our little Lucy to grow and thrive in. 

The biggest thing that I have learned is not to question the Lord's timing. I have a feeling I'm going to probably learn this lesson over and over again throughout my life, that's why I want to write this down, so I can go back and read through this, and remind myself that God loves me. God cares for me. God is aware of me, and He is aware of you, too. It may not feel like it, but I promise you He does. Why couldn't I get pregnant four years sooner? I don't know. Why didn't we want Kyle to go into teaching from the get go and build from there? I don't know. But I wouldn't take back our experiences along this journey for anything. That is why our marriage is so strong, our love for each other is unbreakable, and I'm so glad that Lucille is joining us, hopefully with many more to come. 

I don't know what 2018 has in store for me, but I know it'll have it's ups and downs, just like any other year, but I can't wait to see what's up ahead. Meeting Lucy will be one of the moments in my life that will be permanently etched in my memory, along with many more. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful year, with great things in store. 

Here's to 2018!

With love, 

Katie B. 

A New Chapter

I look at life like it's a book. A book that we write, bind and publish. At first it's just us as individuals, then at some point we add co-authors, some stay until the end of the book, some just for a few chapters, but it shapes the story. 

I feel like I'm finally starting a new chapter in my life story. The chapter of children. The chapter of moving forward into the next phase of my life, of mine and Kyle's life. I'm thrilled and scared all at the same time. 

The 4 years of trying with no success was incredibly difficult. I don't wish that trial on anyone, even my worst enemy. But unfortunately, it's a sad reality many women face each and every day. I will never forget how they feel and what they go through, because I know what it felt like.  But I will say, those chapters of infertility shaped who I am today. I had a hard time understanding, "Why me?". I see failed marriages that drag children in their crosshairs, unwanted children and pregnancies and so on. So, "Why Me?" or why so many other wonderful couples in the world that would make amazing parents? That I don't know. I can't speak for anyone else but myself. It changed me, at times it felt like for the worst, but now that I am in a position to look back on it, it changed me for the better. 

I will tell you, I have never experienced anything quite like seeing my child for the very first time (via sonogram). It was surreal. It was an out of body experience. I fought back tears as I was laying on the table, seeing what Kyle and I created. It was amazing, and you could say I was glowing the rest of the week after that appointment. I was on such a high, that I wanted to announce it to the world that day, and so we did. I couldn't contain myself anymore. It was a great day.

I'm looking forward to this new chapter in our life. But I don't regret the 7 years that Kyle and I have spent together, just the two of us. It allowed us to grow an unshakable bond that we will now take into parenthood. I'm excited to embark on that journey with him and see how we will be together as parents. It's a whole new territory for us. It will test us, push us to our limits, but also we will share a joy that cannot be replicated. We've already been through alot in our marriage, trials that don't come this early on in a marriage, and it has strengthened us. 

I can't thank God enough for this wonderful miracle in our lives. We are so excited. I look forward to penning this new chapter in my life story.

~Katie B. 

Striving to Improve

Hello all,

I hope you all had a wonderful Sabbath day. It was a nice day, (very rare being June in Texas) and I tried to live it to the fullest. I had several thoughts go through my mind during church today and I'd like to share them with you.

Sacrament meeting was filled with really great talks that made me stop and reflect upon my own faith and what I do daily to improve on my spirituality and imperfections. The first talk was about spiritual self reliance. That has been a trend this month, I feel like. They also talked about it during the April General Conference. What does that mean exactly? I'm still working on fully understanding the meaning of that. 

As mentioned in my previous posts, I had a very trying year (July 2016 - present), and I feel like I had hit my spiritual rock bottom, which was a first for me. Sure, I've had trials, just like everyone else, and we worked through them and learned and grew from our mistakes and moved on. Was I riding off of other's spirituality and testimonies? Was I piggy backing off my husbands faith? My former young women's leaders? I believe I partly was. Don't get me wrong, we're all human. We all stumble and fall when we are in the thick of certain trials that we have never faced. But I feel like I REALLY stumbled.

The woman that spoke today talked about our spiritual grip. Imagine yourself dangling from a rope, or some sort of suspended latter. What happens when we lose our grip? We fall to our death, or become seriously injured. The same goes for our spiritual strength and endurance. We must do all that we can to become as strong as we possibly can so that our grip is long lasting, and able to endure the most monumental of obstacles. We cannot let go. 

But, what happens when we do? Is that the end? Is there no more? No, I don't believe that's the end. That is what the atonement of Jesus Christ is for. Death is not the end. When we fall, we will not die, unless we want too. If we truly want to live (spiritually), we have another chance, as long as our heart can be changed. That's what gives me peace of mind, to be honest, is that I do believe I have a mold-able heart. Being apart of a religion my entire life that is not just involved on Sundays, but everyday, has allowed myself to feel regret when I screw up. And trust me, I screw up a lot. But that doesn't mean I'm damned to hell when I screw up. And for that, I have no words. Just immense gratitude. It gives me this sense of hope that I can be better, and that I WILL be better. 

Today I had this odd feeling come over me towards the end of the first hour ( The LDS church is 3 hours long, separated into 3 - 1 hour segments). I had this feeling come over me that I desperately needed to improve, and I loved feeling that way. I love knowing that there are things I need to work on. That's how the talks that were given today made me feel. It made me feel like there is hope to improve, and I've been given the tools to do so. So now, all I need to do is actually do it. I love how church does that to me. It checks me. It makes me feel remorseful for whatever wrong doings that I've done during the week. It gives me a standard to compare myself too. It sets the bar higher for myself. Sometimes, I tend to lower it throughout the week, when things get tough, or I neglect my duties. 

I don't do the small things. That's one of my biggest things I want to work on. I don't read my scriptures every day like I should. I don't say my prayers everyday like I know I need too. But I know I can improve. No matter how many times I fall, I will always get back up. It's not falling that defines me, it's how many times I get back up is what I want to known for. Some people will just talk about your falls, because they like seeing others down. But what you don't realize while you're down, is that those that enjoy your conflict are already on the ground with you, except they've been there for a lot longer than you have. 

We can't be mad at those people. Grudges can destroy your soul. It can destroy your spirit. I've seen it too many times in my life where people hold grudges over really stupid things. I have also seen people hold grudges that make sense. But it hurts us more than the person we're grudging against. I have to remind myself of that. Luckily, one of my few good qualities is that I am not grudge holding person. I forgive easily, sometimes to my detriment. 

Basically, to sum it all up, I need to improve and I look forward to it. I look forward at working to be better. Just like my physical journey of improvement, I need to chip away at it spiritually. 

Until next time,

With Love,

~Katie B. 

Authenticity, Faith, and my Summer Bucket List

I'm going to try to write once a week. I think it's good for me. It's good to get some of my thoughts out and for others to mock or to enjoy, whatever their preference may be.

This past week was quite the rollercoaster, for various reasons. I'm really hoping 25 is my best year yet. 24 wasn't quite what I wanted it to be, but I made it out in one piece, so I guess that's all I can really ask for.

Image is really important to me, and I don't mean an image where I pretend to be someone I'm not. I want to be who I know I should be. I want to be authentic. I want to represent myself in a way to where my life isn't perfect, (but not divulge too much) which is reality, but it's also a life that I enjoy and try to live to the fullest. I have a great marriage. A marriage that isn't perfect, in my opinion, is a great marriage. That means it's growing, developing, reaching new levels of opportunity and challenges. Without hardship, how will we become better? How will we grow? Our wedding song came on our spotify playlist last night, as we were relaxing in our room, enjoying the spectacular view of downtown Dallas. The lyrics really stood out to me. ( I haven't listened to it in a very long time).

The words in that song really have resonated with me. They have become more true than the day we danced as husband and wife for the first time. I stopped and reflected on that, and it made me feel like I've grown. I've been married for almost 7 years, and I just turned 25. I think it's a nice perk of getting married young. You have all these experiences, some good, and some ridiculously hard, and yet, you're still young and have a full life ahead of you. It's kind of a cool position to be in.

It took me 3 and a half years to talk about my struggles with infertility. It took the loving push of good friends who are experiencing similar things, to tell me that it's ok to talk about it. You feel as if something's wrong with you, or that you're somehow not good enough to be a parent, or whatever other false thought that likes to creep into your mind.  Some may think that it doesn't belong on social media, and that is true for some. I'll tell you, when I do write about it, the love and support I have gotten from all of you has really helped me carry on. Especially through the days that seem impossible to get through, you really have helped me see the sunrise another day, and I can't repay the kind words and thoughts. I really am eternally grateful. 

My faith has been a blessing and a curse for me regarding this trial. A blessing, because I know that everything happens for a reason. I know that the Lord wants to bless me with the ability to be a mother, and to make Kyle a father. A curse, because it's hard being married for 7 years in my faith (or culture, rather) and not have kids. It gets more and more difficult each passing year. He is teaching me patience. I've had to learn that this past year. I'm not sure if I've handled this last year's trials very well. I'm not proud of the levels of low that I've reached, but as long as I climb upward, is it really a failure? If I learn and become better, wasn't it meant to be? I don't believe in mistakes. I really don't. Mistakes our God's ways of molding us into the people He knows we can be. Mistakes are how we learn, they are how we become better people. They are how we become better parents, siblings, grandparents, and so on. I'm really hoping these sets of trials will end soon. I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it's that whole patience concept that's keeping me in check. I will do my best to stay in tune with the Spirit, and always let Christ in.

I've developed a bucket list for myself and Kyle this summer. Some of things on that list include the JFK museum in Dallas, the holocaust museum (in Dallas as well), visiting NOLA, St Louis, and so on. Now, I don't expect to complete it, but I will try! Another thing on that list is to read 10 books this summer. Now, I know I have a lot of English friends that are probably scoffing at how low of a number that is, but I'm a slow reader, so if I manage to get half that, I'm doing pretty good for myself. I also want to challenge my views. Part of the books I'm getting will be biographies. Some of those will be who I find fascinating, (mostly political, but could be anyone), and the others will be about people who I politically disagree with. I want to better understand different viewpoints so I can have better developed political opinions and better understanding of our nation's political climate. So I look forward to starting on my next biography. My first one is about Anderson Cooper, with his book called The Rainbow Comes and Goes, that he wrote with his mother. I've always found him so fascinating. (Don't ask why, because I couldn't tell you). Well, maybe it's because I think he's attractive. Weird, I know. 

I love you all. I hope everyone has a great start to their summer. Do something this summer that you've never done before. Hit up a museum that you've never been to, learn how to do something new. 

Until next time.

With love,

~Katie B.