Oh well, i'll just do this now =P (EDITED)

EDIT: Agh!!! I forgot Hayley!!! How could i do that??? Well i'll edit this...

Well you know that "R" thing didn't work out too well - i've been wayyyy too busy to type the posts i wrote for it - so i'll revisit it soon if i can =P But yeah. I'll post my resolutions real quick, and elaborate on them in a "R" post in a bit.

My first resolution is: i want to be entirely self-supporting by the end of the year. I've talked with my folks in detail about this, and we've decided the best thing to do for my character is to just plunge all the way in with responsibility. So, this semester i'll be taking a full load of college classes, i'll be getting my little pickup truck, and i'll be going to work full-time, probably at Outback, Chilli's, or Starbucks. I'm still deciding =P But one way or the other it's going to be worked out where i can pay my own way through college, pay all my own bills, and possibly save up enough for a small apartment in the near future. I think working towards these goals will shape my character, and help me become a man. We'll see how this works out =P

Next: I really want to draw closer to God this year. These days i feel like a Christian in name only, and i'm ready to buckle down and seriously work on being more godly. Thanks to all my amazing friends who encourage me in this! I pray this coming year will be one of much fruitful growth.

I really want to draw closer to a smaller group of friends, and stop pouring so much time and energy into just making myself more popular.

This year i'm going to be working on developing my music and lyric writing skills. I want to progress as a songwriter, for a number of reasons - to glorify God, to encourage friends, to express my feelings, and be creative, along with other reasons.

I haven't drawn in THREE YEARS!! 0.o That is absolutely shocking, and completely unnacceptable. This year i am going to draw at least 4 drawings if i can.

I want to get better at being organized, and prioritizing. I want to get my life in order!! It's really hectic, and i need to step up and get organized, so i can prioritize my time, grow in self-discipline, and lead myself and others.

That's pretty much it, there are a million smaller things but pretty much my main one is: proggressing and growing towards being a man. That is what i aim for. :-)

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Now... my friends. I am almost speechless when i think about what a tremendous blessing yall have been in my life!! In particular...

Wesley. What a dear friend you have been to me! Always willing to talk when i want to, and sometimes, when i don't, but i need it! =P You have helped me through so much, most especially helping me and encouraging me in my music :-) You don't know how much that alone has done for me. Thanks buddy :-)

Brandon. I can literally tell you anything! You're always extremely understanding and you never judge me even when i tell you what i REALLY feel, and when you see me as i really am. We've had some amazing times together, from almost getting arrested, to recording in the studio, to getting lost sooo many times with you and BJ =P You are an incredible blessing to me, and your wise advice has gotten me out of so many problems!

Bethany. So many times in our conversations i've laughed till i've cried almost! You are great to talk to and you me and Brandon have had some great times =D We all certainly are the three stooges! =P You're such a great friend, and you really have no idea how much i enjoy hearing you sing =P You've had to go through so much this year, but you've stayed strong. You're such an encouragement to me and the rest of us!

Yingy. =P Wow you are amazing! I don't know how much you've cost me in texting bills, but it's all been worth it =P You are absolutely hilarious and i've been bodily injured more than once from falling out of my chair laughing uncontrollably at something you said! =P You're a great friend and have been there for me more than once, especially here recently. Thank you :-D

Zach. You my friend are amazing. So many times you've had my back. We've pretty much grown up together, and you remember and know stuff that no one else will ever know! I think you know me better than i know myself! =P

Chad. Duuuude!!! I don't know what i'd do without your amazing stories! You are certifiably insane and you always have the craziest most incredible ideas! Who else would think of inviting ourselves along to eat dinner with the entire V and JV girl volleyball teams, rolling a big screen tv down a hill, breaking in to your OWN HOUSE at 3 am, or anything else your crazy mind comes up with that always ends up with us getting in sooo much trouble but loving every second of it? Man, we need to hang out again!!! I've learned so much from your relationship sagas as well that i don't think i would learn anywhere else! And thanks to you i don't think i'm a sheltered homeschooler anymore =P (Is that a good thing?)

Sammyyyy! You are the most amazing 13 year old there like ever was!! I definitely consider you to be one of my best friends. You're absolutely hilarious and sooo extremely strange! =P In a very good way of course! You literally rock!!

Melly. You're so sweet! And funny. And really random too =P It's been amazing growing up with you! I love all our strange conversations =P You're amazing, Amigo! =P

Eric. Man i've gotten sooo annoyed at you sooo many times!! Now you're like "Whaa?" But hear me out - all those times i've been annoyed is times when i've been dead wrong about something and you're the only one that isn't afraid to just slap me in the face and say "Dude!! Straighten up! You're wrong!!" I really really value that. What an awesome friend you are!! And i think you just called me a few minutes ago so i need to call me back. Thanks for reminding me.

Emily. You have been awesome to get to know! I love your sweet encouragement, your warm friendliness, and your joy and enthusiasm. I am perfectly content to spend an entire youth group talking to you!! :-) I am so blessed to have you for a friend! :-D

Hayley. You are completely awesome!! I have only seen you in person twice in my life, but through Gmail, Facebook, texting, and long phone conversations, i've really gotten to know you, and i'm super glad i did :-D You're so much fun to talk to, and always encouraging and understanding :-) Annnnd... you know how to burn CDs =P haha :-)

JP, G, Josiah, Adam, Matt, Ethan, Mark, Elijah, Justin, Carter, Samantha, Chelsea, Chelsey, and anybody else i forgot - much as i would love to talk about each of yall, i'm running out of room on this post!! It's been wayyyy too long already. But you all are amazing. What dear friends you are to me. Being there, encouraging me, talking to me, laughing with me, and so much more. I look forward to the new year with you all!!!! God bless.


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