Joy from Babysitting

Joy to me is not being able to describe the love you have for kids.

It's when you stop caring about the money from babysitting.

It's when you realize you don't want Summer to end 

because you will miss "your" little kids.

It's when children are the only ones to make you truly happy.

It's when the kids start doing things because they know you'll love it.

It's when the children you babysit start to notice your love for them.

It's when you honestly miss the kids.

It's when you choose to babysit over hanging out with your friends, and there isn't one part of you that longs to be with your friends. Because you love the company of children. And because you recognize how much they have changed your life already.

A Post Where I Share Our Most Recent Family Trip

I have lived in Southern California my whole life, and I can honestly say that I had never done/seen any of the touristy things. Since my family didn't go on a separate family vacation this year, my mom texted me one day and told me to leave the next weekend open for a quick little trip. We did so many fun things! Who cares that it was practically over 100 degrees the whole time and we were sweating like crazy, it was still super fun!

My dad took me and my brother and sister to a Dodger game our first night in LA. I think our favorite part was riding the redline there, and then taking a bus from their to the stadium. Me and my sister were forced to sit in the back of the bus with a bunch of guys around us. They were super funny and kept asking the awesomest questions, so we didn't protest.

Our first Dodger game!

The next day, we woke up early and headed over to Universal Studios! None of us had been, so we were pretty stoked to try out all of the rides. My dad, brother, and I had gone in November of last year to the Universal Adventure Park in Florida(just to see Harry Potter world) but never here.

The Transformers ride was by far the best

We took a little trip to London while there ;)

Our motto in life

The Olympics 2012

Obviously I'm a model.. who am I kidding, Im horrible at picture taking

But our whole family are models, obviously

Day 2 we decided to go visit all of the random places in LA that are famous for something. We started with the stars and ended with China Town! It was equally as fun, and tiring.

Olivera Street was very pretty and hot

We ate early for some AC haha

I HAD to visit the 500 Days of Summer bench, I don't think you guys know
 the extent of my obsession.. Nobody is as obsessed as I am

I found a new job.. No more babysitting for me, it's all about storytelling

Sprinkles ice cream! The verdict: My red velvet was
delicious, but I guess the other flavors were just alright 

The Parentals, and my photography skills

Typical family shot, except without Meredith

The Perfect Summer

This summer has been absolutely fantastic. I've spent it babysitting and hanging out with friends. I've also been going to the temple every week because it was one of my goals. It has been a great time.
I've met so many smart two year olds, and I've definitely been able to improve on my mothering skills for the future.

My best friend and I have been going on trips opposite weeks of each other, so I hadn't seen her in 3 weeks until Monday and so we celebrated hanging out with ice cream and Popsicles, vey typical of us. Now she's off in Hawaii enjoying the sun as I stay here mostly babysitting so I can save money to go to Hawaii next year.

The temple is a great place. I am Mormon, and we believe in the Plan of Salvation where after we die everyone who wasn't a member of our church can become baptized. But since their bodies are no longer able to be baptized, we go to the temple to become baptized for them. It's kind of confusing but if you go on www.lds.org you can learn more about it.

I hope everyone is having a great summer as well!!

So this beach we went to is really lame, and shouldn't even be considered a beach anymore, we only go there for bonfires because there is grass. I think that's why it says kooks? 

Sour Patch Popsicles are the best

My Life's Notes

My recent choice of morning wardrobe. My sister informed me a picture was necessary.

Sisters a few years ago in Hawaii

Dear Captain America,
You are by far my favorite super hero. I know you don't have the coolest powers, but you have the nicest body and you definitely use your powers to defeat the evil sources(does that even make sense??)

Dear Ma(trek mom that is),
Thanks for the workout today! Considering the fact I haven't worked out that hard since November, I know I will be sore tomorrow.

Dear Mothers who I worked out with today,
You are all definitely a lot more in shape than us 3 teenagers who were dying the whole time.

Dear Kiddos who I see every Monday and Wednesday,
I love you. And I love when you get into messes because it makes my job more fun. Especially when you love bouncy balls at each others heads, I seriously love it and will miss it when I go back to school.

Dear Businesses,
Sorry, but I am sticking to babysitting for a few more years for money. It's way too fun!

Dear Lauren,
Don't leave me again. You just came back after 3 weeks, and now you are going to HAWAII! No fair... I want to go too

Dear US Open,
I might have considered attending if I wasn't so dang white! But I guess that isn't your fault I can't tan..

Love,

Kenz

Winter in Summer?

What the what?? Lately it's been so cold, and it doesn't burn off!! I mean normally this is great, but when it's summer time and you want to tan at the beach, it's not cool when you leave fried because it's overcast. Especially since I'm pasty white.
Yesterday I was watching my siblings while my parents were at work and we decided to go to the park an get our free bagels from brueggers.

Top-Old Navy Leggings-H&M Jacket-Thrifted Boots-DSW
 Socks-My Mom's Drawer Tank Top-Aeropostale Watch-Bahamas Bag-Swap Meet

So small, yet so worth all of the pictures and video we took

My Life's Notes

Me and My Friends are the coolest/weirdest.. Whichever you prefer

Me as a young babe, It looks like I have orange hair

Dear Last Weekend,
I loved that I could hangout with all of my friends and babysit 3 separate times. I fit everything into my Friday and Saturday, then on Sunday I got my special Joseph of Egypt award at Seminary Graduation.

Dear Girls who are going on their 4th year at girls camp in my stake,
I have some rad things planned for you. Seriously though, you will wonder why everyone thinks the first years are immature, when really it's my friends and I.

Dear School,
I'm really grateful there is only a week left.

Dear Summer,
I would say come faster, but you're coming fast enough... So don't slow down!!

Dear Laundry,
Is there a way you could finish yourself? I would appreciate it.

Dear Baby G,
I died over your cheeks last night even though you did drool and spit up all over me. It was most definitely worth it.

Dear Rube Goldberg Project,
You're dumb.

Dear Everyone,
Have a great week!! And go eat some Waffles.

With much excitement and joy,

Kenzie

Everything is Wrong

This Blog just needs a face lift.... Something top spice it up but I'm not quite sure of what yet. So over the next few weeks there will be changes, and with the new year(of school that is) there will be plenty of new plans. Bear with me though :) On a Different Note: I am a babysitter. Can't deny that I spend lots of my nights, and days, babysitting a bunch of different kids. I love it a lot. And some kids just make me laugh so hard. For Example:

These Kids. Aren't they super cute and gorgeous?? Well they seem to be in love with my camera and it keeps them busy so frankly I don't care but sometimes they come up with these cute photos and I keep them and email them to their mother, but here are just a few. Some Awkward and Awesome Adventures I have had from Babysitting...

Awkward:

-Being asked if I had a boyfriend, saying no, then being told I should because it's fun to kiss boys(alright, the awkward part is this girl is only 7)

-Having a 2-year-old boy who was potty training ask me if he can watch how girls use the bathroom when I desperately had to go! (I promise I said no and locked the door)

-walking into a bedroom with one of the girls I'm babysitting to find a bunch of Big Time Rush posters all over her wall and (unthinkingly) blurt out "Oh my gosh this one is sooooo attractive"...All I could tell myself was think before we speak Mackenzie...

Awesome:

-The kids making their own lunch

-Eating Dino chicken nuggets for dinner, of course with a side of watermelon :)

-Teaching some kids how to make a banana split (Trying to make their dessert as healthy as possible)

-Having a gorgeous baby girl scream at the top of her lungs for 2 hours while you babysat her, but stopping right before her parents came home( alright that one isn't awesome, but rather HORRIBLE) - Having a cute little 3-year-old tell me they are ready for nap time and letting me tuck them in before they go to sleep

- Putting kids to bed is my absolute favorit ehting to do, mainly because they are so cute

Anyways, that's all I have for you right now so enjoy them!

Spreading the Gospel One Prayer at a Time...

About a week ago I was babysitting my neighbors, like a normal mormon teen would do obviously. It was a pretty easy job: reading, brushing teeth, praying, and going to bed. I didn't realize that praying could take so long to debate about. These kids are 3&5 and they remind me of myself almost. I've never really had a non-member babysitter babysit me, so it was never a problem to "teach" the babysitter how to pray. Anyways, these kids go around and they all say a prayer starting with "Dear Jesus..." Well they came to me and wanted me to say a prayer. I of course start with the traditional "Dear Heavenly Father" and I didn't just end it with amen, I said "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen". These kids thought I was absurd though and fought me against the prayer after I said it. I'm grateful for this experience because of 2 things. First, I was able to share with them the importance of praying to Heavenly Father. Second, I was able to think about and remember why we pray to Heavenly Father. I truly am grateful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ on the Earth today. Praying to my Heavenly Father gives me peace and comfort with my trials. I know that if I put my trust in the Lord I will be able to acheive even the hardest of trials. I love my Savior Jesus Christ!