The Cart

Parker found this Shopping Cart by a dumpster and brought it over to the Orton's one day.

...RaVoe didn't want it ...My mom didn't want it.

And It started a War.

We passed it back and fourth from my house to the Orton's for a while, but we wanted to make sure it stayed there.

The Rocks didn't work, and the next day Parker found it in his bed room, in draper, in his apartment, 3 stories up (and his apartment doesn't have an elevator).

So we tied it to their tree, and they tied it to Parker's truck. And when we tried to bring it back... we were ambushed.

Gun shots were fired from the roof and the cart was lost in their yard. But with some stealth and some quick movements, we retrieved it so we could try again another day...

But it was stolen.

I haven't seen it since.

We may never know what happened. And the war will never be finished.

Blogging by Proxy

July 14th. That is my last true day with my computer. I will no longer be able to update my blog...

But have no fear! My dad will be posting things from my emails. So this blog will continue to update itself. So don't stop visiting.

I love you all, and will see you in 2 years.

Upward Over the Mountain

We climbed a mountain.

We started off so innocent. "This will be fun!" we thought. "It doesn't look that bad".


We were wrong.

The different parts of that mountain can be divided into two groups. Steep, and less steep. The first part was steep. It was really steep. We got tired fast and Cory wanted to give up. But me and Kim wouldn't let him. We could still see these girls sitting on their tramp. We could not give up that easily. We kept going and eventually it got a little less steep. We continued past a barbed wire fence and up a ravine until we found a trail. I don't know where this trail starts, but it went farther up the mountain, and we were tired of being bushwhacked. So we followed it.

It led to a gorgeous look out area next to the rock formation Kim calls "The Gorilla". This is where Kim wanted to turn around. She was tired, and I later found out she had huge blisters. But now Cory wanted to keep going. And standing on the top of a mountain was on my list. So I wouldn't let myself stop.

We were hot and sticky and dirty and tired as heck. Our legs wanted to give out at this point. so we sat in the shade for a while. After a rest, we walked for a long time, and continued, even after the trail ended. We saw a para glider flying over our heads. They must have come from Timp. It was cool to see, and we all wished we were in their place. To fly instead of walk.


Then we stopped to rest in the shade... and Kim and Cory couldn't take it any more. For about the last 2 miles we kept telling ourselves that we were more than hallway, but the truth was that we were probably just barley half way, if even that. But I wouldn't give up. They said they would sit there and watch me. So I left my stuff (only taking a water bottle) and ran. I ran for a while. Even when the bushes turned to trees, I ran and dodged their branches. It was amazing.


Eventually the trees got to close together that I could no longer run, or even move much. So I fought through them and broke out into the beautiful gully. It wasn't filled with gross dry bushes and brush. It had lush trees and flowers and greenery. It was an amazing sight. It filled me with energy again, and a started to run up it. Then I heard them.

"Jeffery!"

I called back and they asked where I was. It would have been hard to explain, even if I wasn't yelling and trying to enunciate each word. Finally I threw a stick in the air so they could locate me. When they saw it, they told me to stay put. I heard them traipsing through the trees loudly, and then I saw them. They came up the gully to where I was. I figured they had decided they didn't want to miss out on this great experience. I was wrong. They sat there and tried to convince me to come down..

I told them I couldn't. I was so close, and it had been my dream for a long time. They said they couldn't leave without me. I said I couldn't leave.


So they came with me.

I am a pretty stubborn person. But usually just for myself. I said I would do it, so I have to do it. I didn't care if they came. It wasn't their dream. I realize that, and told them they could go. I had my cell phone with me. But they refused. They would be too worried about me. Good friends.

The Gully got fuller of bushes as we went up, and when we finally pushed our way out, we entered a little Vally surrounded by cliffs and trees. The only way up was through a steep hill will of trees. At least we had branches to hold on to as we climbed.

Well after this trek, we were on top of this hill... that led to the final hill. This was it. The last stint.

The only problem was.. The last hill was steeper than anything we had climbed yet and was riddled with bushes. And not the fun leafy bushes. these were thick and sharp. And Cory and Kim gave up. They deiced that they could watch me from their hill. I said fine, and ran off agian.

As I ran, the hill started to get steeper and steeper. My calves started to kill, and I have really strong calves. And the bushes were tearing me apart! I have blood running down my legs, and my arms were taking a beating too. Even my eyes weren't safe!

I think back now and wonder what the heck I was thinking. This was torture! And for what! That's how stubborn I am. I'm an idiot.

I am climbing and climbing and crawling through pushes because there is no trail, and it just keeps getting thicker. And I am listening to my music and a song comes on, and I remember the words that stuck out to me. "He took a step but then felt tired, he said 'I'll rest a little while'." (I did take a rest right then. It seemed appropriate.) "..But when he tried to walk again he wasn't a child." Then It get to this part where it says "This is all there is." and I turned around and It felt like I could see the whole world. It really is so beautiful up there. And it makes you realize how small you are. And how big the world is.

Soon I reached a wall of impassable bushes. There was literally no way around them from where I was. I would have had to double back... Then I get a text that tells "Come down!! My mom just called and said there were bears on the news up there."

As much as news anchor bears scared me, I still felt it didn't justify me coming down. But I did. It was getting late and I didn't want to have to climb down in the dark. I replied "I hate this... I'm so close"

I was defeated. The mountain beat me... and now it looked as if it might kill me.

How was I going to get down? I was crawling up on my hands and knees. I couldn't do that on a downward slant... So I decided I had to just plow through the bushes.

It couldn't have hurt worse if I had thrown myself down the hill. I was being cut everywhere my skin was showing and my legs were shaking uncontrollably. I began to flop myself on top of the bushes and let my weight carry me down to the next bush. It worked ok. but I would never get down the whole mountain that way.

Then I saw another little ravine to my left. I dug my way out of the bushes and plopped into the grassy area. It was such a relief. But I still have quite a way to go... so a ran straight down. I ran down a mountain! Which is dangerous because I cliff could have jumped in front of me and I would have died. Just like that. Dead.

I could hear Kim and Cory yell ahead of me. Then the next minute, I heard them yelling behind me.

I ran the fastest mile anyone have ever run.

Well, we found each other and we didn't even rest, even though I was struggling to stand. In my head I was thinking "Get me off this damn mountain!" (I would never say that out loud.. but some Orton is rubbing off on me)

The rest of the trip our legs were on "auto pilot" as Cory put it.

The climb up? About 5 hours with roughly 6-7 breaks. The hike down? 1 hour. 1 break.

We stopped so Kim could change her shoes and drain her blisters.

When we reached the bottom, we used the last of our energy to run to the golf course grass and fall right on our faces. Cory was kissing the ground. passionately.

We laid there for a while, and it was one of the best moments of our lives. We were still hot and sticky, but we no longer had to walk. And right then, a gift from God. The sprinklers burst on.

I was the first to see them. Without explaining myself to the other, I stripped down to my bare necessities, and ran through the freezing water.

The others followed closely after. No persuasion needed.

That was our hike. And we are proud of it.

Why wouldn't we be? We traveled through hell and survived.

Yesterday and Today

Give or take a few days...

Yesterday we brought him home and today I love him even more

He's getting to big so fast.

Yesterday my dad fixed my iPhone and today I missed you so much

Old forgotten text messages. (as they appear on my phone)

Me: My mom says my tonsils are green!
Michael Tom: I'm coming

Michael Tom: Still sick?
Me: Yes. Its strep

Michael Tom: You made me sick:(
Me: You shouldn't have touched me!
Michael Tom: I had to! I thought you where dead. But its really not that bad.
Me: I had it bad.
Michael Tom: I could tell.
Me: 1st day its ok but you know your sick... day two... you die.
Me: I had a 104 fever
Michael Tom: Oh crap:(
Me: which, on day 3, turned to 97 degrees
Michael Tom: Well i haven't broke 100 but i just had the worst chill attack of my life.
Me: If you have any amoxicillin i would take some. and you'll want some ibuprofen.
Michael Tom: No, none of the weak stuff. We're going straight to morphine.
Me: And you may have some crazy fever dreams.
Michael Tom: Yes yes yes. I love them. Did you have um?
Me: yes, one during conference. it was weird. i don't ever really remember but i could hear all of the talks in my sleep and i think i made some of my own doctrine up.
Michael Tom: lol sweet. i hope you wrote it down.
Me: yes, i think i'll start my own religion
Michael Tom: Cool, can i join?
Me: Yes, it will be HDS, hyrule defenders society
Michael Tom: oh...nevermind.
Michael Tom: I want it to be called Coltymhs.
Me: Huh?
Michael Tom: Thoes are my conditions. take them or leave them.
Me: Coltyhms?
Michael Tom: Just go with it.
Me: Ok.

Me: Madison texted me today...
Michael Tom: what did she say?
Me: she said she missed me?
Michael Tom: whats with the "?"
Me: nothing
Michael Tom: what did you say
Me: i miss you
Michael Tom: and... was that it?
Me: she never answered back
Michael Tom: cool cool. So did you just have a huge hug-fest after that?
Me: never heard from her again.
Michael Tom: dang... she got married probably.
Me: yes
Michael Tom: Not even and invite:( we should both text her something filled with anger.
Me: Oooooo. filled.
Michael Tom: or oozing
Me: yes yes! i would also like teaming... or steaming!
Michael Tom: oh man, i'm so excited!

We just get the one life, you know. Just one. You can't live someone else's or think it's more important just because it's more dramatic. What happens matters. May be only to us, but it matters. -Gwen (Ghost Town)

Yesterday Cory left and today was so boring



Yesterday we talked about heart break and today I feel better

"And you will want so much for them to like you and they just wont. And it will break your heart. And that will make your heart bigger..." -Lois (Malcolm in the Middle)

Yesterday I saw UP and today I want to see it again

It's Not About That

Today I want to tell you about a philosophy I have come up with.

Some people ruin their lives. I can see it happening all around me. If I were to ask them why their life sucked, some would blame other people or their circumstances. Well, it's not about that. And the ones that are wise enough to realize it will say, Its because I made bad decisions.

BINGO

When I chose to get out of bed this morning, it was the right choice. That doesn't make it a good decision, just a 'right' one. Well, if I didn't get out of bed that would be wrong... but not necessarily bad. The good and the bad comes from our intent.

And that's what makes or breaks your life.

Right Wrong, Good Bad.

But remember, its easier to tell someone how to live their life then to live it yourself. Think before you speak.

I Was Raised on Disney

I love Disney. Always have, always will. Their stories seem deeper to me than what others see them for. Maybe I read into things that aren't there, but I feel that no one has put as much passion into their movies as Disney. I am, of course, talking about the animated classics.

Me and my friend Kimmie have made it a habit to re-visit our childhood through these movies every Monday. This week it was Tarzan.

It ended far too soon.

When I was a kid, I found that I could watch all of these movies over and over without getting sick of them. This same rule applies even years later. If I owned a copy, I would be watching it again, right this minute. They are Masterpieces.

I have also found that I am always sad when the two hours are up.

On the other hand, there are some (rare) Disney movies that I will never see. (Home on the Range... what the heck!?) They have, over the years, lost the passion. Thank goodness that Pixar still has theirs. And 'Up' comes out this week. defiantly gonna love it.

As for Disney? Let's hope this re-kindles something. I have high hopes.

The List

I got 70% of my mission stuff in one day... it's happening so fast... There are so many things I want to do before I leave. So many goals left unfinished. I decided I needed a list. Then I forgot. But now I remember and I'm blogging it so people will make sure I do it.

The List

1. Stand on the top of a mountain
   
2. Hike inside of a cave
3. Go to a Canyon
4. Hike a slot canyon
5. Last Feast
   
6. Beat Shantel in a foot race
7. Jump in and out of a cloud's shadow
8. Bury a Time Capsule/Treasure Box
9. Go stargazing (and cloud gazing)
10. Eat a whole box of Otter pops
    
11. Just say it
    
12. Take Photos of all my friends
13. See Harry Potter 6
14. Movie Marathon
15. Zelda Marathon
16. Stink Pot at Glissmeyer's
17. 3D Chalk with Andie
    
18. Go to Logan
19. Get Iron ports with dad
20. Sleep under the stars
    

[EDIT]
I revised it because I was told, and became aware, that it was lame.

Winnipeg, Take Me Home

I'm leaving for Canada in August. I'll be living there for 2 years...

... And I just might see this. (That is, if I am aloud to stay up late enough)

And maybe one of these!

And if I'm really lucky... This!

I'm trying not to get my hopes up... But their already sky high!

The End

Maybe I was bored. Maybe my mind was being lazy. Maybe I was just to tired after surgery.

For whatever reason, I stopped reading the life of Pi... Big mistake.

This is one of the best presents I have ever received, and it is an instant favorite. thank you again, Riana.

I started it in the gully. I read the first half at Kim's house in St. George. Then it got to the story, and oddly enough, that is when I stopped... until I returned to St. George this last weekend. I started when we got to my cousins house... and I couldn't stop. I fished at the Bhar's when we stopped by to watch some movies (which I didn't watch).

I estimate I read 20% of this book going 80 miles an hour. 20% in my cousins house. 58% at the Bhar's. 1.5% at my house. And 0.5% in the gully. Not bad.

I don't know if it's based on a true story or not. I tell people it is, but I don't know. Frankly, I don't want to know. I choose to believe it for what it is. Please don't tell me otherwise.

Its a bittersweet thing to finish a book. Or should I say "...to finish a 'good' book". And the feeling is amplified when its a good series. This week I will be saying goodbye to and old friend. He has been with me for eight years.

Good luck Bobby.

Unknown Caller

May 10th [a.k.a. Mothers Day, 2009]

6:43
Asleep in my hotel room in St. George. Woken up by my ringing phone. Its an unknown caller. Area code 366. What kind of area code is that? I think to myself. Wrong number. I don't answer.

8:32
Still asleep. My phone rings again. Same number. Curious, but still tired. Must be a wrong number calling again. They still don't realize they have their mistake. I don't answer.

9:04
I wake up for the final time. The phone is ringing. I decide to answer, but not fast enough. dang.

9:13
I realize I have a voice mail. This should be entertaining I think to myself. I Give it a listen. First, confusion. Then my jaw literally dropped. My eyes were opened wide. "Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no!"

Voice Mail
"Hey look, I'm (porting?) in the rain right now, and the most you can do is answer your phone, so just answer. Okay, bye."- Elder Michael Tom

Area Code 366 is for France.

Frantically, I try to redial (knowing very well that it was probably against rules and I could get him in trouble, but if he took the risk...)

"Your call cannot be completed as dialed, please check the number and try again..."

I try again.

"Your call cannot be completed as dialed, please check the number and try again..."

I give up.

9:32
I tell my family about my stupid mistake. I can't stop thinking about my stupidity. I had 3 chances. I took none of them. Half heatedly, I try the number again. Desperation compelled me.

Silence.
My shoulders slump. Why would it work now?

First ring.
My heart misses a beat. ...

Second ring.
My heart beats faster. Its working!

Third ring.
My heart beat me. What if its not him who answers... It could be a crazy french man! It could be someone from the mission office who regulates their calls! I could get in trouble! this could prevent me from going on a mission! I decide, whoever it is, I will politely request for Elder Tom.

Fourth ring.
I stop breathing. I know its coming. I don't know how I know. They will answer now, or they will not answer.


They answer.


"Hello?"

"Michael...?" I forgot what I had planed to say.

Silence. "...How did you get this number...?"

"You called me."

"Oh, yeah. My bad."

"Michael!"

I cannot describe to you how much I miss my best friend. Or how proud I am of him. He is a major motivation for me to go on a mission. I am no longer scared. I am no longer worried. I am no longer nervous. I am just anxious.

Halfway through our conversation, my phone ran out of battery. I made a dash for my car to get my charger and ran up 3 flights of stairs and down a hallway to our room. When I called him back, he told me he was trying to call me at the same moment. We are totally in sync. Even from halfway across the world.

He told me that he couldn't remember any phone numbers but mine (not even his girlfriends) and he was calling from his missionary cell phone. I have that number saved on my phone. It is so hard for me not to call it. I should delete it, but I cant make myself do it. I'm pretty sure I wont use it. Pretty sure...

Later that day I dubbed him 'My Missionary'. My mom was grossed out, but I thinks its funny and it fits. All in all, it was a great day.

P.S. we are not gay for each other.

This Post is For...

The Doer’s, Who's constant activity and correlating smiles have given me a love for all flavors of life.

The Thinker’s, Who always choose there words carefully and only speak when its best. I challenge myself daily because of you.

The Believer's, Who, through their faith, have strengthened me. Your life is an example, and don't make the mistake of thinking your not being watched.


I don't think people realize how much of an effect they have on me. I have a great capacity for emotion, and when I am emotional, I am easily impressionable. because of this, you have all left your prints on me, even through the little things. You all have made me who I today, and I thank God every night that he sent you to be there for me. I know that sounds extremely ego centric, but why else would you be in my life? I have done nothing to deserve you, but hope to do everything I can to make you proud.

"Mother! Dont you dare!"

I love my grandparents. They are funny old people. And those who know me know that those are two of my favorite attributes. When you have lived for so long, your personalities crystallize. There are no surprises. My grandpa loves meat and hunting and grandma. He always will. My grandma talks fast, like shes still speaking Spanish, gossips about her neighbors in old lady fashion and is the biggest sweet heart and hardest worker you'll meet.

Yesterday we went to their house to plant flowers in her garden for mothers day... and it was nearly impossible to keep her from helping...

Donna: "Can someone bring this bag of weeds to the garbage?"

Eva (grandma): "I got it babe." *already slinking across the lawn*

Donna: "NO!" *spins around to see grandma tip toeing towards the heavy bag* "Mother! Dont you dare! Somebody stop her!"

Taylor: *runs full speed for the bag and grabs it right before her*

My grandma is just like my mom, only in a 70 year old body. I love it. I love seeing them interact. They are more like sisters than Mother and daughter.

I love the Puerto Rican blood in me. When I see how active my grandma is and see how my great grandma is miraculously still alive at 105 (she was born in 1903!) I feel like I should be able to lift a car over my head!

Botom line is, I love my crazy family and I love spending time with them. Every crazy minute.

Happy Mothers Day

How Often do you get to Ride a Segway?

Not often enough...

Photo Shoot. Wisdom Teeth. Earth Day.

Today I was forced to get my wisdom teeth out. I say that because my dentist told me it was not a necessity and I didn't have to get them out for a few years, but my mom made me anyway. Something about not being on the family insurance after Friday...

Anyway. I woke up this morning and I just felt nauseous. Not "nervous butterflies", this was full blown "I may throw up on your face" nauseousness. It may have been because of my photo shoot the previous day.






We took a lot of pictures on this bacteria infected haystack. It has probably been there for years.
I wanted so badly to go play in the huge field with the haystack and it got me sick on wisdom tooth day... So worth it.

Getting my teeth out was weird. They were both fully impacted, so they had to break through a part of of my jaw. But of course, I don't remember a thing. All I remember is that the Novocaine was strong. This was not the aired down stuff they give you at the dentist. My whole body went a little numb and my legs felt cold. I couldn't think straight, and I tried to hold on to all the clarity I could. Then a nurse was leaning over me with the biggest metallic syringe I had ever seen. I remember thinking "you better wait 'til I'm out to stick that thing in me." A second later the beeping that was monitoring my heart started to change from a high pitch to a low one.

Everything was fuzzy and annoying. I did not like it one bit. I tried to breath through my mouth for a while because I was afraid of the feeling. I tried to remember everything, because I wanted to write about it later.

It reminded me of a book I am reading. In this girls world, everyone has an operation to make them look beautiful, but during that operation they put lesions on the brain to make everyone stupid and accepting of everything. I think they author must have had his wisdom teeth out before he wrote that.

Eventually I gave in the feeling and even forgot that I didn't like it. Then they put the IV in. It hurt at first and then felt really nice, like cool water on my arm. The I woke up; all drowsy and not as confused as I thought I should be. the hear monitor was the only thing a remember throughout the whole thing. It was there when I fell asleep and there when I woke up.

I asked my mom how I fell asleep and how the doctor got me in this nice comfy chair. Did he carry me? I was really concerned about that for some reason. I also asked her If the Novocaine had put me to sleep... I asked that multiple times. I didn't make the connection of the IV and falling asleep.

I asked more questions a couple of times, but everything was clearer then I expected. I wasn't very funny, and I could even walk pretty good. I guess my body is built to take that antithetic.

And that's pretty much the whole story. I'm still really numb and I haven't used any Loratab because it doesn't hurt. Yet.

All in all, it was pretty fun. I'd do it again. But I don't know why they needed such strong Novocaine.

And now I just have to worry about what I want to do for Earth day. I think its a great holiday. The earth is so cool. Maybe I'll go exploring. It's a beautiful day and a beautiful planet.

Last Weeks Schedual

Monday - Slept in the Gully; so windy our poor broken tent couldn't last the night.

Tuesday - Late night IHOP; I got the soup.

Wednesday - Sam's Birthday/Mission Call/Sleepover with Jordon and Parker.

Thursday - Trudged through snow storms to get to St. George and Bhar Manor.

Friday - Cut my pointer finger wide open and took a trip to Dixie rock.

Saturday - Road trip home to warm weather. Chased the cute girls in the blue mini-van.

Sunday - Interview with stake president for my mission.

Fable'Heaven'

Today I finished Fablehaven 4. I read a lot of it waiting in a dentist chair for 2 hours. Then, after that, I had planned all sorts of stuff I wanted to do, but it was to late. The book got me.

Books capture me for different reasons. Great writing like "The Road" made me believe it was truly happening, and that scared and depressed me. Amazing stories like "Pendragon" and "The Hunger Games" make me wish it was really happening. Fun voice like "Leven Thumps" and "A Series of Unfortunate Events" entertain me too much to stop.

Fablehaven has a great story and is really fun, but the best thing for me is the characters.

I don't want to believe some of the things that happened in this book. When my little band of heroes felt there was no hope, I lost hope too. When they were betrayed, I felt betrayed. These are real emotions, so real that I am effected by them long after I stop reading. So if I seem a little upset sometimes, its probably because one of my friends in a book did something.

Not only was this book the best in the series so far (each book is better than the last) it was also a little more advanced and gruesome than I would expect for a kids book. Granted, those parts weren't too detailed, but it was using words I didn't even know. (Megalith? What the..?!)

I'm sad I wont be around when the final book is published, but it will be one of the first I read when I get home. I expected big things from this book and its author (judging by the title), and I wasn't disappointed. My heart was pounding 'til the last page. I need to shake this mans hand. If only I could get up the courage to knock on his door or say something to him in church. (refer to post "Best Day Ever!")

Books are my friends. They always will be.

P.S. Turns out a megalith is a large stone which has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones.

April Fool's!

(This is long, but so worth it!)

Today is April Fool's day! So fool away! Short your friends sheets, dampen every towel, and lie like you're a pro. Because that's what its about, and I love it.

April Fool's has always been a holiday I looked forward to, but I've never done anything great. One time, I faked a broken arm for a week in preparation, but the delivery was awful. I was only 10.

But this year I told myself I would do something better than great. I wanted to booby trap the whole house. So I stayed up real late and after everyone was asleep (except my dad.. he never sleeps) I set to work.

I hit my bathroom first. I Ceran-wrapped the toilet, put dye in the hand soap and the shampoo, and put a bullion cube in the shower head. It was beautiful. Then I went upstairs to see what i could do for my parents. Well, I had planned to put the clocks forward, but trying to sneak into my parents room is like trying to sneak into... a place that is really hard to sneak into. I had no chance.

So I set to work on other things in the house. I turned pictures upside down, I turned all the chairs and sofas backwards, and I switched out some of my moms Easter decorations for Christmas ones. Then I think my mind got into it and ideas started flowing. I know my mother had chocolate milk and toast every morning without fail. So I switched her chocolate syrup for maple syrup. Then I turned the heat on the toaster all the way up. I also had the idea to turn the power off in my parents room for a few seconds and see if that reset the alarm clock. It didn't. but it did reset the TV and the receiver, which takes 20 min to start back up. My dad was still awake watching, so that was good.

I was just about to switch all the letters around in one of my moms decorative block thingy's (she hates that) when I heard someone coming down the stairs. I ran to the basement as silently as I could and jumped in bed. Soon, my dad came down the stairs. I am pretty good at faking sleep so he didn't suspect. He checked the other kids rooms and saw they were asleep and then left. I sighed big, but the night wasn't over.

Lying there in bed, I hear my dad talking to someone. I sneak closer the the stairs and can hear that he has woken up my mom. Well, they turn all the furniture the right way (what a waist) and then I hear the front door open. I thought maybe my dad was off to a conference call, as he often does when he talks with people from Japan and Europe. But he wasn't leaving... It sounded like he was bringing something heavy inside.

Now I am very intrigued. I wondered if they were planing on doing something for April Fool's. It would explain why they were both up. Then I hear a drill going. My dad was putting something together, or taking something apart. Then I hear clattering dishes... Why would they be doing the dishes at 3:00 a.m.!?

By now I am oozing with curiosity. I make myself a fake body with pillows and hide it under my blankets, just in case they come and check if anyone is up and spying on them. Then I run to my sisters old room and head out the window into the back yard. I ran around in the snow trying to look through the windows but all the blinds are closed. I head to the front and start looking through the cracks in the blind, but all I see is the back of the couch. Then I realize the front door that is 5 feet from me, is open... someone was standing in the doorway. They hadn't seen me yet, but if I didn't get out of there they would. So I ran all the way back to my sister open window.

Back inside, I pace around the room, wondering what is going on... Even worse, I have to pee and the only toilet down there had Ceran-wrap on it! Then I see the light go on in my room... crap. They would totally find out I wasn't in bed. I didn't know what to do, so i just kept quiet and hopped they wouldn't come looking for me. Then I got a text on my phone from my dad. "Hope you guys don't get shot!" He thinks I snuk out to do pranks with my friends! (which we should have done) So im safe for now.

But I still need to know what they are doing. All they lights go off again, so I know whatever they were doing they are done now. I walk through the basement and up the stairs and see... Nothing!

There is nothing there. I scrable around the whole house, but there is nothing new, nothing out of place. It is acctually cleaner than before. What ever it was they made, it was hiding somewhere. I checked the garage, the back of my dads truck, and even aroud the house... there was nothing. The only other place it could be is my moms closet, and there is no way I'm getting in there tonight.

So I give up for now. I go back down to my bed and try to sleep. In the morning, I am attacked by my mother. "The couches were funny" she said. "And the upsidedown pictures where even a little scary. But what did you do with the chocolate!" She was seriously upset and I couldnt help laughing. She needed chocolate like a addict needed heroin. "There better be more." she said. then she went up stairs and I heard her yell "And my toast is burning!"

It was the funniest, and scaries morning I have ever had.

Then, later this morning, when my mom left to run to the store and everyone one else was at school, I went to check her bedroom. First I check the main area. Nothing. Then I checked her bathroom. Nothing. Then I checked her closet... Nothing.

NOTHING!

Did they wake up in the middle of the night to clean the house and fix a wobbly table or something!? Because that's all I found! There has to be another explanation! They must have done something! And I'm going to figure it out...

April Fool's Day is not over, and I will not end up the fool.


UPDATE: Well... I figured it out. My parents, in an early morning daze, didn't realize it was April 1st. They thought a crazy kidnapper came to the house and turned the furniture and pictures around and stole there children. My dad was trying to fix the front door, because it doesn't lock. My mom just decided to clean while she was up because that is who she is. When they realized it was April Fool's they went to bed.

It all fits, and I'm a little disappointed, but it was a funny day.

Mission Cut

Before...............After

Any questions...?

What did I eat last night?

Sawyer, Anna-Lucia, Pi, a Bangle Tiger, and the Vernal Temple

Josh Holloway..................................Michelle Rodriguez......................Piscine Patel - Richard Parker

These are the characters of my dream last night.

Best Day Ever!

I was just minding my own business, walking through the church hallways, when I recognized the person in front of me.

It was Brandon Mull! I couldn't believe it! (except

I could because I knew he went to my church) He was talking to some un-famous lady about 10 feet away. I continued to walk towards him, but couldn't think of anything to say. In the end I just passed by, wide-eyed and breathing heavily, deciding it would be rude to interrupt their conversation. I realized then that that would go down in history as one of the most exciting moment in my life. but it got better...

I went and sat down in the foyer and started listen to the talks, when I saw him coming down the hall to where I was sitting! I wanted to talk to him but, again, my mind went blank and all that came out was "hey...". Then he gave me a head nod. (which I've never really liked, but when he gave it it was cool) Later, he walked by one more time. I was so starstruck.

Its weird to think that he has probably already forgoten about the nervous looking boy at church but I will never forget it.

Needless to say, it was the best day ever.