random.

shout out.

So this is a really random back story that made me think of doing this post. So here we go...

Yesterday I was driving Meghan and her friend Jessie to dinner. When we were almost there, Jessie said, "Um...Alli...I forgot my money at home." I told her it was fine and we would pay for her no problem. I didnt even expect for her to pay anyway. She told me she would pay us back but I told her it was fine and we had it covered. So this made me think about the world and how we are always supposed to "pay eachother back". If we all kept a chart of who owed us what, there would be mass chaos. Then I started to think of all the people who have helped me and my family in my life. All the little things like watching us kids for 15 minutes while my mom ran to the pharmacy, or fixing the plumbing when my dad was working out of town. The point is, when you have good friends, you help eachother out. It's just what you do. Sometimes there is no need to "pay eachother back". So here are some shout outs to all my Vegas peeps that have helped me through the last 10 years I have lived here.

My family. It's crazy to think that we are all grown up now. I still remember the days on 8237 Lake Grove Court. I love my big family. They are the best. Especially with Rachel, Claire, Brooke and Brooklynn and Emily now in it. We always have the best times and I love to be with them. I still cant believe how old we are, but I cant wait to see what life has in store!! <3

(Picture taken at Katy & Brooklynn's wedding)

This is Daryn Kaye Frischknecht. She's pretty cool. She goes to Utah State and has perfect red hair. Without DD, I would be lost. She is my best friend and I love her so much. Sometimes I get worried about losing touch when I go to school, but then I think about how she has been at USU for over a year, and we still talk at least 4 times a week. It will be hard to say bye to her next week until I see her at Christmas. But it'll all be okay!! I love this lady!!

Emma Tagliaferri and Julie Owens. Wow. Even though things have changed tremendously this year, I know that if I ever needed anything these girls would be there for me. Even if we don't see eachother for a long time, we can hang out and talk like we never missed a day. I love them so much and as Julie keeps being a soccer stud at UNLV, and as Emma takes on leadership at SUU, I KNOW they will both do amazing things with their lives!! VSIS!! From left to right: Shannon Brown, Maggie Devlin, Lacy Miyahira, Kaitlin Kelly, Kassidy Welte, Ashley Hill, Kristen Ray, and myself :) Without these girls, my senior year would have been the worst year ever. They truly were the best and I cant imagine not playing with them next year. Although I know if they set their hearts on volleyball, they can achieve anything they want. I will ALWAYS love these girls so much. VSIS FOREVER!!

Travis McDonough. Also one of my great friends since sophomore year. He has always been a great friend to talk to. And he is my Yogurtland buddy :) Jordan Andrew Fish. At graduation I leaned over to him and said, "THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO YOUR BIRTHDAY IN THIRD GRADE." When I moved here, Jordan was my first friend. We have so many memories together. I love this kid so much. He has definitely been there through it all!!

My boy Squat!! We have been so close since sophomore year and always talk no matter what. I always laugh so much when I'm with him and he's also such a stud! I cannot believe he leaves on his mission in a couple of months. I'll miss him so much!!

bed time monster.

A few months ago, Kevin and Rachel were visiting with the babies and they went to a movie. They took Brooke with them but left Claire because it was her bed time. Claire is 2 years old, so naturally she doesn't go right to sleep and comes out a few times before she stays put and falls asleep. So on this night she came out and my mother, or Claire's grandmother, gave her cookies and M&M's. (the best grandmother ever award goes to Susan Tatom). So Claire just WOULD NOT go back in the room! I told Claire I would tell her a bed time story. It went a little like this... Me: So there was a little girl named Claire and she wouldn't go to bed. If she doesn't go to bed, the bed time monster comes and scares her so bad that she falls asleep right away! Now Claire, you don't want the bed time monster to come do you?? You better go to bed.... (Claire walks into dark hallway and then comes back...) Claire: GRANDMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!! I SO SCARED! MONSTER GOING TO GET ME! So it wasn't one of my best ideas I know but hey....at least this little girl still loves me. And I sure do love her too..... :) I'm off to make zuchinni bread...Have a WONDERFUL Monday. :)

five years.

In five years you can do many things. You can have 5 babies, maybe even 6! You can travel around the entire world 100 times, go on 2 and a half missions, and you can complete high school, college, or grad school.

Well in the last five years, my dad has been the bishop. But on Sunday that came to an end. My dad was released on Sunday, and Bishop Mortensen was put in as our new bishop. It was very sad for my dad and our family. My dad kept saying, "I just dont remember ever NOT being the bishop." This is true because honestly, neither do I!

The summer before 8th grade, my parents called us all into the living room because they had an announcement. We knew it was one of three things. Someone died, Mom was pregnant, or Dad was called to be the bishop. Well #3 was a winner and so the journey began.

Dad and I at the PCC the summer before my senior year.

When he was called, I remember multiple people telling me, "You'll never see your dad. He will never be home. Say goodbye to family time and taking vacations. You're stuck for 5 years, maybe more." But the thing is, no one ever told us the joys of having dad as the bishop. He helped people immensely, we as a family helped people, we got a ton of desserts around tithing settlement time, we received blessings, and my favorite is that I was able to hear my dad's testimony and hear him speak about how much he loves this gospel more in 5 years than I would have been able to if he wasn't the bishop.

My dad was the bishop for my entire high school career. Mind you I played high school and club volleyball. My dad never missed a SINGLE GAME. He never missed a piano recital, or any of Meghan's choir concerts. He was home for dinner every night before meetings. We went on family vacations many times. And he was always a constant in my life. I never once felt that he was too busy for me. Don't get me wrong he was there for the ward just as much as he was there for me. I just know that my dad did an amazing job being the bishop of our ward as well as being my father.

Dad and I being silly in Hawaii. :)

I love my dad so much and I know it took a huge sacrifice for five years, just as well as any other calling in our church. I am so blessed to be his daughter. I LOVE MY DAD.

The Purple Couch.

Today I am thankful for many things. I am thankful that my AP tests are all over, I am thankful for my health, my friends (especially Big Red for finally being home awhile), and I am extremely thankful for my family and all the memories we have shared. This year is a BIG year for every person in the Tatom household. Here's the lowdown. Kevin & Rachel had baby girl #2, Brooke Allison Tatom. Plus Claire, that's HUGE. Stephen & Emily got married in the beginning of February. It was great and we love having "Emmy" (as Claire calls her) in our family. Katy & Brooklynn will be getting married in 12 days. This is crazy. Katy has always been my best friend. So this is a big change, but a GREAT change as well!! Meghan, Mom, and Dad will be taking the move to Salt Lake City, Utah. They are all nervous as well as excited. (We keep telling Meghan she should be grateful for release time seminary). And as for me...I will be venturing to Feather River College to play volleyball. This is a huge step for me. All my friends go to Utah. And I will be in Quincy, CA. Weird. I feel like I always write this post of how much I love my family. But it is so true and they are the only ones who are a CONSTANT in my life ya know?? When I was about 9 years old, a year after moving to Vegas from Sacramento, we bought this plum/purple colored couch. This is our Vegas couch. So many memories with everything we have all gone through. I dont know how many days I have layed on this couch being sick. Haha. But needless to say, when I move up to good ole Quincy, I get to take the couch!! This may be weird to you that it excites me so much, but it's like I am taking a little piece of home with me. And that makes me thankful. I love my family so much. YAY!

Momma

Quick shoutout to my Momma, Susan Marie Tatom. She is just such a cutie pants and I love her. She is the best thing ever. Don't agree?? She's the best for ME!!! LOVE YOU MOMMY DEAR!

99.9999997%

Ever since sixth grade, when I started volleyball, I have had this dream to play college volleyball. My family would always support me, make me feel like I was doing great and I always loved it. I would play club volleyball from December to May, then school from June to November. It was always a big circle. And ever since then I haven't really gotten a break. I'm not complaining at all because I truly have been blessed with all the relationships I have made, the skills I have accomplished and everything I have learned. But lately, I've been worn out. I have no motivation to even go to practice and I dread it. When it came to making a decision to play in college, it was rough since schools weren't necessarily flocking for me. But then this school came into the picture called Feather River College. And all of a sudden things just kinda fell into place. I liked the coach and I enjoyed the thought of a smaller school to start out as since I am younger than normal for being a senior right now. Also, I have made a new relationship on my latest club team. Her name is Marilyn and we are TWINS!! We will be attending FRC together this fall and will also be teammates for the Golden Eagles. Mare and I are so similar. The only difference is she is Samoan and about 7 inches shorter than me hahaha. I love her so much and I cannot wait for this next adventure with my girl Mare!! So as of right now, I am 99.9999997% sure that I will be attending Feather River College as a Golden Eagle!! And let me tell you, that is very nice to have made a decision. whew.