ANOTHER JOURNAL ENTRY | Katie Huntley

Anyone who knows me knows that family is the number one most important thing to me. Without my family, I wouldn't be here much less be the person that I am today.  I am so thankful for the bond that has only grown stronger over the years.

1. Santa Clause, or Claus. Who gives a shit? What the heck? This dude kinda creeped me out as a kid and he STILL does. I feel bad for my future/ hypothetical/ make-believe children, because they’re going to be the only toddlers on the block who can rest assured that no fat guy dressed in red (and since when is bright red a good color? The devil wears red, for goodness sake) is going to break into their house via chimney one night in December. No way.   Screw that shit. My kids are going to know the truth: that if they’re little assholes all year, the only one passing judgment upon them is ME, so it greatly behooves them to behave for 365 days a year. 2. Black Friday Not particularly pertaining to Christmas BUT if you go shopping on this day, you’re a dick. I don’t care if you got a 72-inch flat screen for thirty-seven cents and eight sets of flat wear from Macy’s for three dollars. You’re still a dick . Why would you fall into this disgusting trap of consumerism? ...

He did it! Travis graduated high school, and Mom and I were beyond blessed that we were able to fly out and be there with him on his big day.

The time is almost here: Travis, my sweet nephew, you will soon be a high school graduate and I know you are going to do amazing things. I can't begin to describe how proud I am of the young man you have become. Sitting in church last Sunday, the band played the song below, and it is everything that I want to wish you as you begin your new adventure. I love you, infinity times infinity. "I wish upon you peace I wish upon you grace I wish for less of what you want And more of what you need I wish upon you an old life With a heart that stays young But most of all I wish upon you love I wish upon you truth When all you feel is doubt I hope you know that an open mind Still knows when to shut things out I wish upon you a brave heart That will always rise above But most of all I wish upon you love As the sun sets the moon begins to rise So even in the darkness you'll find the light You'll find the light You'll find the light Yes, even in the d...

As hard as it is to believe, it has been one year since we said: "I Do". I can't imagine going through this life with anyone else by my side. Through thick and thin, you are my person, and I love you.

In my English class this semester, we were to read over some essays from thisibelieve.org and write our own essay about something we believe in and how one event possibly changed, even if for a moment, what we believed. I chose to write about an event that I don't share with anyone out of fear of being judged.  "This I Believe" I believe in life; therefore, I am a hypocrite. It’s been told to me time and time again since the day that I had an abortion. I was raised by pro-life parents, and was almost a victim of circumstance myself: my biological mother gave my “parents” a choice: to either adopt me or she would have an abortion. I have often heard the cliché of how kids repeat their parents mistakes, but I never expected to wind up pregnant at the exact same age that my biological mother was when she conceived me. At age 20, I was torn between being ecstatic and terrified. My boyfriend at the time was my first, and he was much older. His immediate react...

It dawned on me the other day, during a conversation with my eldest nephew, how quickly time flies. We were discussing his upcoming high school graduation, and all of a sudden, memories of him as a little kid hit me like a fist in my stomach. His cheesy little grin, chasing after my mom's chickens to try (and usually succeed) at catching one, and now he's grown; a young adult about to find his own way in this big, old world. It literally brings tears to my eyes to think about all of my "kiddos"... they are all growing into such amazing individuals. In another year or so, my eldest niece will graduate. I knew it was going to happen eventually, but how is it that the time has already come? I get excited at the thought of what they will all become, how God might use them, the lives they will touch, how proud I am of every single one of them. While I am terribly sad that most of them are now too big to sit in my lap, I can't wait to see what the future holds for t...