2012 Recap and some Other Stuff...

 Hello everyone! Well I haven't blogged in quite a while and with the holiday season I thought it would be a great opportunity to not just update briefly about my life but recap on the past year! So first here's a quick update on my life...

October ended and November was an exciting month! Here's a brief break down...

1. Ultimate bonding time with KT and Ivy
2. Took a road trip to St. George with the girls... Go Dixie!
3. Made new friends #MyClique
4. Had some cancer appointments, postponing scans and what not until February 14 (Happy Lovers Day)
5. Got knee surgery... so needed! Torn meniscus, some weird masses, and a cyst. Nothing bad.
6. Celebrated Thanksgiving
7. Got a 53 inch teddy bear named Oliver Winston III
8. Had a month long respiratory/sinus infection that was supposedly strept and mono but just ended up being a really bad virus.
9. Got kicked out of my rec basketball league and lastly...
10. Signed with Dixie to play basketball!!

December was definitely more entertaining than November... So December...

1.  Garrick Family Christmas Party
2. Taught Tina how to drive in the snow
3. Went to San Diego
4. Went to Sea World
5. Went to the San Diego Zoo
6. Spent hours shoveling snow off the drive way, cars, and street... like hours no joke
7. Talked to Elder Corbin Kaufusi!!
8. Celebrated Christmas as a family
9. Worked a lot of hours at Vivint and lastly...
10. Had a perfect new years!!

Snow Driving Lessons

So thats been my life the past two months but on a more serious note... reflecting on 2012. 2012 has been an interesting year. I kind of consider it my rebuilding year. I was finally better and started to feel normal about mid summer and spent the first half of the year still not quite myself. It wasn't until July when i really started to notice I was "normal again." But just like any other year 2012 had its ups and downs. On the downside, I was cut from the BYU women's basketball team. On the upside, I was picked up by Dixie and by a coach and a program who really make me feel wanted and needed. On the downside its been snowing A TON. On the upside, I spent a whole day with my Dad shoveling snow and just hanging out. Everyone's lives has ups and downs but its all about how we react to what life throws at us. Some lessons I've learned from 2012 and the top 12 moments of my year...

Lessons...
1. Where one door closes, another one opens. Sike. More like five doors open.
2. Don't judge a book by its cover.  Just because the outside of the book isn't appealing the pictures and story inside always are. There's always more to someone than just what they appear.
3. Good things come to those who wait, and nothing is fixed over night. Being patient sucks 99% of the time but it pays off at the end of the day. Or at the end of three months.
4. Honesty is the best policy. Always. No excuses. Always be honest because it just saves everyone a lot of heartache and grief.
5. Even the most powerful person in the world cannot control another persons heart, mind, actions, and thoughts. Being a control freak even some situations are out of my control.
6. We create our own happiness. Sometimes we can't depend on others to create that feeling of completeness and happiness  so we need to take matters into our own hands. I recommend shopping. Or befriending a Ginger as your bestest.
7. All things get better in time. Like wine. Time heals all wounds and even makes things better.
8. As Rihanna would say "People gon talk whether you're doing bad or good" Doesn't matter what you do people are going to talk and think what they want. So might as well give them something to to talk about right?
9. Holding onto the past isn't good. Sometimes you just gotta let go and move on and just forget about what happened. No point in wasting energy, time, and feeling negative about something that happened that one time. And lastly...
10. At the end of the day the people who matter most are the ones who were there not only during your greatest moments of joy and happiness, but the ones who were there to pick you up when you were at your lowest.

Corbin In Korea

Top 15...
1. It was my 1 year anniversary to being diagnosed with NHL as well as 1 year since I was entitled "Complete Response"
2. NCAA tournament with the BYU Women's Basketball team... Side note, definitely miss those girls!
3. Rascal Flatts concert
4. Corbin left me for Korea on his LDS mission, BUT Bronson returned from NZ
5. My Steph got married to Trav
6.  Got cut form BYU and signed with Dixie
7. Graduated from BYU (Be expecting a massive party in April after I walk)
8. Made some new friends and developed better friendships with people I already knew... example: KT (my ginger), Tina, Rita and C (my clique), Mei Mei, Danika, Noellesy, Whitterz, my future Dixie teammates, etc etc.
9. Completed 5 things off my bucket list
10. My cousin Hillary had her triplets! Who are now almost 5 months I believe and all healthy and chubby baby boys.
11. Discovered a love for Sushi and lastly...
12. Decided to grow out my hair and am sporting a mullet successfully
13. Thoroughly enjoyed Twilight Breaking Dawn pt. 2... Love Edward :)
14. Watching Bronson play Football and now Basketball at BYU
15. Got Bronson hooked to Vampire Diaries and Steve hooked to Duck Dynasty...  amazing shows I DEFINITELY recommend them

My Mains

This year has been an amazing year! But 2013 is definitely going to be even better! I just wanted to thank all my Family and my amazing friends for everything! I really am the luckiest girl in the world. Hope you all have an amazing year. Until Feb 14 when I post about what the doctors have to say, have an amazing January everyone. And be jealous because I'm going to Justin Bieber on Saturday :) Peace and Loves.

Love, Alexis

My KT.. GP&BP Genetically Best Friends

New Years Eve

Tina and I

My Clique

Welcoming 2013 the right way

New Years Eve

Ande and I. Perfect 10. Reppin the Mullet here

Snow For Days

Showing love to a Random Cat. Karma. Cat Gods are on our side.

Fun Nights

Best friends since 1st Grade

My Mei Mei

Sushi :)

Triplets cheering for Bronson! Creighton, Pax, and Weston

Danika and I

Blessed...

Hey everyone! Well I haven't blogged in forever and I thought I should update everyone on my life. A lot has happened since I last blogged in the beginning of last July and so much has changed and to be honest, I think I have grown a lot. So... Here is my update...

End of July:
Bronson came home! For those of you who don't know he's my little brother, he's about 18 months younger than me and has been serving an LDS mission in New Zealand for 2 years. Its been nice having him home. He has been playing football at BYU and is seeing some playing time here and there. He's doing really well for only being home 2 months. Its been so nice having him home, but we still really miss Corbin (He's in Seoul serving an LDS mission).

Elder Kaufusi is home!

Missing Corbin...

Reunited after 2 years!

Meet Blanca. She isn't mine but still so cute!

August:
I got a new job! I've been working at Vivint since August and I am really enjoying my time there. Its a fun atmosphere and there's fun people to work with so its been nice. I also enjoy getting a little extra money on the side. I started my last semester at BYU. I won't lie its been hard to find the motivation to go to school and really focus on my one class but I have buckled down and am doing better. During the month of August my cousin Hillary had triplets! So happy that all 3 baby boys are now home and healthy. We really are a blessed family. I ended up actually have an appointment up at Huntsman during the month of August. I totally spaced out blogging about it because we didn't find anything really new. Theres some active spots but they are still small so nothing to be super concerned. The way I see it until I have bulges of cancer popping out of my neck again, then I'm just going to keep living life and not slowing down at all. Did I mention Daryl blew her knee out? Shes just following in my foot steps and thought she would tear her ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Poor kid. She's doing good now though and is walking and on the mend. Gotta get her back on the soccer field because lets be honest, shes an amazing keeper and needs to be out there saving goals left and right.

Daryl post Knee surgery

Creighton, Paxton, and Weston

PET scan. My best friend every 3 months

Baby Shower for the triplets. Pax and Wes. Creighton was still in the hospital.

His first Sack

BYU Football's biggest fans

September:
Oh September... it was such a fun month. I actually turned 23 during this month and I dont know why but it was so weird! I feel so much older and to be honest I dreaded the day more than anything. Its weird now since cancer came along milestones like birthdays aren't nearly as fun as they used to be. But since I have the greatest family and friends it ended up being a really fun weekend after all. Went to class and work like any typical Friday. Then went out to dinner with my family at El Azteca. Michelle's good friend and our family friend Carlos Rubio owns El Azteca and man do we love that restaurant. If you want some good chicken tacos and a plum mojito, go visit Carlos and tell him the Kaufusi's sent you. I then went and saw the move the House at the End of the Street with Tina. Such a good movie! I do love scary movies so it was a perfect end to a birthday. Saturday the birthday festivities continued. I was able to go up to Salt Lake with some friends. We went to dinner and just had a fun night. It was a great night! I dont know why but now that I'm 23 I actually feel old. I know 23 isn't old by any means, but I feel older for the first time in my life!!

Birthday dinner with Carlos

El Azteca... Taco Tuesday = HEAVEN

Me and my Cheesecakes, the big 23

October:
Well its only the 3rd day of October but man oh man its been a fun 3 days. Celebrated the twins 16 birthday! Too bad they didn't get heir licenses but it was a fun night. Thats basically the extent of October haha.

Well everyone thats kind of been my life. I don't know what it is but all the sudden I have this sense of urgency to live and grow up. Who would have though me grow up right? I've realized so much about life and the decisions that I want to make and the person who I actually want to be. Change in inevitable and whether we like it or not all we can really do is go with the flow and try to make the best of any situation. I've felt that with the few trials I have been faced with I have been so blessed with the strength to get through them and I now know I can get through anything. But at the same time I cant help but be excited for the next trial in my life. I have realized though just how blessed I am to have such an amazing supporting cast. I have always known my friends and family were great but they truly are the reason I have been able to overcome my challenges big and small. I also have come to notice that time is short... so... bucket list time! I have a bucket list going but I thought I would share somethings with you guys just so you can see what I want to get done within my time here on earth...

1. cage diving with sharks!
2. skydiving 
3. learn how to surf
4. shoot a PK on Hope Solo
5. go to the San Diego zoo
6. go scuba diving 
7. meet Kobe Bryant
8. drive across the country... (I did it once but I was like, 3 so it doesn't count)
9. swim in every ocean
10. go to every continent... 2 down 5 to go! 
11. ride a bull
12. learn how to snowboard
13. go deep sea fishing in Alaska
14. go to Tonga
15. go to Scotland  

Well there's 15 of the like, 50 that I have. Anyways hope everyone is enjoying this fall season! I am thoroughly enjoying the beanie, hoodie, flannel season of it all. My next appointment is coming up actually sooner than I though it was. Hopefully those little active cancer spots are staying small so the fun can continue. Love you all. Thanks again for everything you are all amazing!

Love,

First BYU football game

Babysitting my God Son Colt. He's a greyhound

my Ellie girl

Oh I went back Brown

BYU vs Utah Football Game

Brons and the Triplets

Family divided

The notes Gypsy lady leaves me

My Pup

Decision Made...

Well... Hello everyone! I'm sure a lot of you heard the news, and if you haven't then hear it goes! I was released from the BYU Women's Basketball team. This happened about two and a half weeks ago and was quite a surprise. Lots of mixed feelings but I am now at a happy place and have found peace with my Coach's decision. I'm very sad I won't be able to play my final year at BYU after everything I did to get to this point but, everything happens for a reason and new doors have opened! When this initially happened a lot of different scenarios went through my mind. Would I be able to keep my scholarship to finish my degree at BYU (I have one class left, maybe two)? Do I try to play basketball somewhere else? Do I get a job to pay for school if I can't keep my scholarship? Would I lose my friendships I've built with my teammates? Just a million different thoughts and emotions of sadness, anger, and confusion. It didn't take long for me to feel emotions of relief, comfort, and peace. Don't get me wrong, I am sad to not be a part of the team. My best friends are on the team. I've spent 4 years on the team. And I have worked so hard against all odds to get to this point where I am. But, I am happy at the same time. I have been given an opportunity to go play somewhere else for a coach who wants me and who wants to give me an opportunity to prove myself. So now I have met with all the right people. I at first decided that I need to play. I am FINALLY back to 100% energy, strength, speed, and endurance. So naturally after all my hard work the past two years I am going to play. Next decision, where? Due to the timing of the release I can only go D2 or lower, which is fine. I have no problem I just want to play. I wanted to stay instate so my options were Dixie State or Westminster. It helped that the Dixie State coach and I are good friends so it was easy to contact her. I made good friends with the Westminster coach and already knew her assistant coach Elaine Elliot. Coach Elliot is one of my favorite coaches of all time so the idea of playing for her would be amazing since I passed up the opportunity 4 years ago when she was coaching at Utah. Anyways, so which school? After meeting with compliance and asking all the questions and rules situated my options were:
1. Go to BYU this fall, graduate, then play at Dixie State next year for the 2013-2014 season.
or
2. Go to Westminster this fall, play, then come back to BYU and finish up my degree and graduate next Spring semester of 2013.

After lots of decision making and weighing out all the pros and cons, Steve and Michelle and I made what we felt was the best decision for me and that is... I will be attending BYU this fall semester then going down to Dixie State College to play next season. I am very excited!! I've known Coach Angie Kristensen for a few years now and feel very comfortable with her and the program she's running down at Dixie. I'm very excited for the opportunity though that I have to prove myself and remind everyone I'm still the athlete I was before I got sick. The best part is I will still receive my Bachelors degree from BYU that I have been working at. In the end, its a great ending to my college career. I get to end with my degree and get to have a fun year of basketball playing for a great program and a great coach who is equally excited about me going there. Most importantly though I want to thank all of you. I can't begin to thank you for the support you have shown me and my family once again. The influx of text messages and phone calls and visits that all of you did to make sure I was okay. Don't you worry, I'm great and couldn't be more happy with how things have turned out. Its amazing how such good things come out of bad situations. I'm going to miss these moments... Thanks for the memories girls!

Fun trips...

So there you have it! In the mean time I got a new trainer, a nutritionist, two jobs, and am working hard to get my body in tip top shape! Not to mention save some money to maybe buy a new car to get me back and forth between Provo and St. George haha. My sweet little ghetto BMW just isn't going to be able to make that trip. I am so excited and so happy about what my life the next 2 years. Great things are going to happen. I am going to miss my BYU teammates though. They have been my sisters the past 4 years and I will miss spending from September to March with them, but they are going to have a great season! I am excited to follow them this year. So if any of you teammates are reading this just know I love you all and you guys better not be strangers!

1lb Burgers with Steph

Jon Jon, Ray, Me, and Junior

 Today being July 17, that means that Bronson comes home July 24! So, exactly one week! I can't believe he's actually coming home finally. We are all so used to life without him but I'm excited for him to come home and get my baby boy back. I'm also happy that I will get to spend the next year with him before I move down to St. George. My best friend is finally coming home! While my other best friend is on his way to Korea within the next month. It happens. I'm just thankful Bronson has been safe while in New Zealand and he gets to come home! For those of you who would like know, his homecoming talk will be July 29 at 1:00. You can text me or facebook me for directions. Lets see what else...

Coming Home July 24!!!

August 7. Big day! As you remember last time I went to the Huntsman Cancer Institute things didn't quite go as planned. There were some definite signs of cancer coming back, BUT thats ok! Because I feel great and I honestly think the flare up was just because of the shingles incident that happened a few days later. But we will see. I know for a fact its nothing serious and worst case scenario, I need to get surgery and remove some cancer filled things, but in the end I'll be fine. My energy is great. My strength is back. I can run and not get tired now. And I finally feel myself again. Its nice to finally be normal. Getting Bronson home will just add to these positive feelings I've been feeling lately. I hope you are all enjoying your summer! I know I am. My favorite Canadian comes home today, Steph. I need some Steph in my life thats for sure. JC and Megan come home from Las Vegas today as well! My solid friends are coming back which will be so nice. And in one week, Bronson comes home.

Me, JC, and Meg... and Corbin holding Meg's hand

My Tephy

My life is normal and I couldn't be happier! Everyone have a fun safe summer. I'll let you all know how my big appointment goes on August 7.

Love,
Alexis

My life as of late...

Rock Band has my heart... So does Duck Dynasty and Gene Simmons

My Teph and Trav's marriage

BANFF

My Triplets are coming!

Jeep cruising Top Down

Sonic Runs... Powerade with Peach

My Canadian Girls! Love you guys!

Baby boy Jacob

Best Pup Sister EVER

Getting my Tan on :)

My Ella girl

Me and Aunt Cathers

Naps with Porsche, highlight of my day

Happy moments with my Gypsy