I Was Here: The Beyonce Edition

Random Scarlett fact:

I LOVE BEYONCE. 

Pic from last year's Valentine's Day party. The theme? Beyonce's Single Ladies.

I think she is an amazing role model for women. She's successful but humble, classy but still sexy, and have you heard her VOICE?!? What's not to love?  

So of course as soon as her new CD came out I went out and bought it! I was pleasantly surprised to find a song called I WAS HERE!!!! So I figured what better time to update my previous I WAS HERE: The Scarlett story post. {Wait what? You mean you haven't read it yet??? (GASP) We'll check it out here, get caught up, then check out where I am today with this new Beyonce tune in mind.}

How have I been leaving my mark lately? Let me show you: 


I hung out with some famous celebs:

Chillin with Scooby

 Me & Lambchop. We tight. 

That's me getting high fived by Luke Bryan

And not a person necessarily but come on who DOESN"T know about the weiner-mobile! 


Caused a little trouble: 

Martha Massacre '09 

 That is in fact roadkill.

 Abby's induction. 

Our first time.  

Flamingo Fiesta '10

Grew some rockin facial hair:

Cayley and Me 

 Just chilling at the gas station... no bigs. 

 Just another day at home

Valentine's Day 

 Roadtrip to STL

My favorite.

 Took time to stop and enjoy the stars:



Emily and I star-gazing.


Adopted an exotic animal:

Everyone meet Newton (the GIRL).

Climbed mountains:

Snow drift 'O8.

Explored the unknown:

Field in Kansas.

Verona corn maze

Cave in Ash Grove

Town in Kansas that has the same name as my pet! 

Stopped to smell the flowers:

Tried new food:

That is a horse sandwich I'm trying... 

Made this Italian dinner completely from scratch!

Danced in the rain:

Visited London and Italy:

Cinque Terra 

 Ponte Vecchio

London 


Spun around in circles:





Spent time with those I love:

Battle of the Bears 

 Bible camp

 Senior year basketball

 Bible study

 Dee's graduation

My team 2010 

Women's Taekwondo Camp 

Eclipse Softball Team 2009 

Go team 2008! 

And rode off into the sunset on the back of a handsome man's Harley.

Isn't he quite the looker? Emily's dad took me for my first bike ride. 

:) I may have a ways to go, but I'm sure having fun just being me :) 

Scarlett was here. 

When I grow up I wanna be Chuck Norris?

I came across this little bit in my school stuff from last year and thought I'd share. Enjoy! 

           Do me a favor and think back to when you were a little kid.  What did you want to be when you grew up? Maybe it was a professional athlete? A veteraniarian? A firefighter? Or even rockstar? I had more of a unique answer. I wanted to be Chuck Norris’s sidekick. It’s true, I was a pretty funny kid. At the age of five my mom decided if I was going to succeed in being a sidekick I would need some lesssons.  That’s how I ended up at Missouri Taekwondo Centers and met Lisa Ledbetter, a woman who has changed and impacted not only my life but the lives of countless others. This story is all about this amazing woman who has done so much to help others in our neighborhood and community strive to build a more peaceful world. 

My TKD family: Mr. Ledbetter, Mr. Roberts, Me, Mrs. Ledbetter

            According to Lisa, she found her home at Missouri Taekwondo Centers fifteen years ago.  Six months prior to that, a man tried to break into her home by smashing in her bedroom window in the middle of the night.  The incident left her terrified and in search of confidence.   Now her and her husband own the school and teach hundreds of individuals not only how to kick and punch but something much more valuable.  Her husband Zach says their curriculum is based on the six tenets of Taekwondo, tenets that are repeated at the beginning of every class.  Courtesy, Integrity, Perserverance, Self Control, Indomitable Spirit and Victory.  These tenets have inspired students to do great things throughout the years.  When asked Lisa replied that one of her proudest moments was when an austistic boy she coached won the national sparring championship. This boy would have never allowed on most high school teams but at her school anyone is welcome.

Mrs. Ledbetter, Me, Mr. Roberts with Schyler on of our amazing students

Schyler (one of our other austistic students) breaking a board! 

   

            Outside of classes, Lisa not only is a mother and wife, but a volunteer also. She takes time to speak at local schools, teaching the values of respect and discipline. She teaches abused women the art of self defense and also to have confidence again. She also organizes performances at adult care centers for the entertainment of the elderly and handicapped. 

Mrs. Ledbetter teaching at a women's camp

In conclusion, over the last 12 years I have watched Lisa influence hundreds of lives. And if you asked me today what I want to be when I grow up…Chuck Norris won’t be anywhere in the answer.  But after years of training with Lisa, she has helped me to realize not what I want to be when I grow up, but who I want to be when I grow up.  I want to be someone that helps build a more peaceful world for all of those around me. And if everyone took this approach in life, this world would be a much better and safer place for all. Thank you. 

Mrs. Ledbetter and Me along with many other strong women after camp