...Tayler Annette Anderson... I am 19 & I love to write and think and try to make sense of my crazy life. I know God puts obstacles into our lives so we will become strong, but he never gives us anything we can't overcome. It may not be easy, just worth it. I don't like to think that I have taken the path every other teen girl has and I would hope that I wouldn't live the ordinary life of that girl. I have struggled in the spotlight and broken down in the dark. I have also seen many sunny days and will continue to find happiness on my way. I am fascinated by the strength and perseverance of many people and believe that every person, no matter how great or small, has a story worth listening to. I think that each one of us should try to make the best of ourselves each and every day. No one is perfect and that is the beauty of this life. - "Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."

. . One Last Swim . .

The summer before I left for college was spent entirely with two people. These girls are so special to me. We went through a lot together over just a few warm summer months and our friendship grew into one that will last a lifetime. No matter what we were doing, it was always the three of us together. "Surround yourself with good people who are only going to lift you higher." - Oprah Winfrey

. . The Team . .

Each of us leaves home to go off and try to find out what we were meant to do. This experience usually can be pretty scary, but with a group of friendly girls and coaches to spend each day with, I have found it is not as bad as some might have expected. Half of our team consists of Idaho girls with only a few from Washington, but we all get along really well and couldn't imagine our team any other way.

. . Winter Holidays . .

I made the long 10.5 hour drive home to Idaho for less that 48 hours spent at home. I hadn't become homesick until around the holidays and then it hit hard! I was so grateful to see the family again. Seattle was getting the most snow it had seen in a looong while around Christmas and I was getting nervous that I might be stuck in Washington as I heard stories of people stuck in the airports for days. The girls offered their houses for the holiday, but nothing beats home. I made it to Soda and enjoyed the break with my entire family: mom and dad, the sisters, brothers-in-law, and the babies. I love you guys! Now it's time to chase dreams and start fresh with a new year!