Life as of Late

Sooo I've learned a lot about life the past month or so.  I've learned that no matter how great you think your problems are, there is always someone out there with much more serious problems.  I feel like I had hit the lowest of all lows in my life, that nothing could possibly get any worse. Then I realized something. I'm Autumn Shipp. I'm an athlete. I'm a competitor. I'm a daughter. I'm a sister. I'm a friend. I'm as tough as they get. I don't give up. I don't fear. I don't let anything get in the way of my goals. People are watching me, either looking up to me or waiting for my head to fall.  I don't like losing. Never have and never will. It's just something that I won't accept. Losing. Backing down. Yeah, this is a challenge. And yeah, I'm gonna come out on top. It could be so much worse. There are people out there that are dealing with so much more, and handling it so much better than I am. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't still hard. But it has definitely become a little easier. You see, I have this scar now... about 3 inches, it runs vertically down the center of my knee. It signifies so much to me. I run my fingers along that scar, and instantly it reminds me of everything. Some of it is hard for me to think about, but it makes me stronger. I think about the moment it happened, the feelings that were felt. The emotion. I think about how I had to lean on my Savior and Heavenly Father when I felt so alone. I think about how I'm at physical therapy trying to lift my leg a couple inches off the ground, while my teammates are at practice running and jumping. I think about how this has shaped me. How it's been a roller coaster. I think about my testimony that I've gained through it.  I think about hard things, and how i can do hard things. It gives me something to tell my teammates, to motivate them. Nowadays, all I care about is giving them something to play for, something to fight for...helping them to see the game, the way that I see it NOW. Now it's the lucky scar, and they all have to rub it before a game.  Honestly though, even though somedays I'm just a reck, even thought I can't think too much about how it used to be, and how it still should be, even though I cry sometimes and get frustrated with it all. I am so genuinely happy. I love life. I love the position I am in. I'm so happy with my teams progress. I have began to understand that once you have something taken away from you, something that consumes so much of your time and so much of your life (sports for me) you are forced to realize the little things, ALL the other things about life that you've neglected to love all along the way.  I've learned that it is so important to smile. To let people know that you are happy. To look people in the eyes when you talk to them, to call them by name. To compliment, and befriend people around you. To be someone they can count on, someone they know they can go to with anything. The more you look for the good in others, the more you end up finding yourself.  Physical therapy is going SO good, my therapist is the bomb, his name is Ron, and he's such a good guy. He pushes me and he expects a lot out of me, which is good, because I expect a lot out of myself too. Nothing is more gratifying and fullfilling than seeing progresss. I walk outta that place and I just feel on top of the world. No matter how hard things get, no matter how much there is to cry and be sad about, there's always something to smile about.

Go dad, it's yo birthday...

Today my old man turns 43. And something y'all should know about him, is that he is the BEST dad/coach/friend a girl could ask for. I don't know how i got so dang lucky. Without my dad I wouldn't be who I am today. He has taught me how to be a winner/competitor not only in sports but in life as well. We have definitely had our moments, most of which have come from a bad game or the occasional...well, i think they've all come from a situation relating to sports. But hey, i thank him for that...because he doesn't let me settle for just being mediocre in anything, he expects me to be the best out there because he is aware of my potential. I love that my dad believes in me and knows me so well. He's been there for me through the good times and the bad. We have laughed together and cried together through so many moments. I've been able to share some pretty cool times with my dad, and being the only daughter has its perks. Some of my favorite memories with him will be out in the mountains when he takes me with him hunting or scouting. Just sittting on the back of the four-wheeler holding onto him for dear life, or sitting down on a nice rock to eat our sandwhiches (which of course are always the best; he has a real knack for sandwhich making) after a steep hike to the top of a ridge. I used to get pretty scared at night when we'd be out in the mountains, because...dont judge me...i believed bigfoot was real and alive and in within a short distance of our camping trailor. But I always knew that everything would be okay, because my dad was big and strong and knew how to shoot a gun. He always made me feel so safe, still does. I'm so grateful for all the memories we have down at the fields, in the batting cage, or at the church gym. Those will always be some of the best, I owe everything I am as an athlete to that man. I hope that someday my husband will be half as good of a coach to my kids as my dad has been to me and my brothers. He has put forth so much time and effort into us and our teams and helping us to be the best out there. Somehow my dad is all knowing. I'm not sure how either. And maybe sometimes he just makes crap up, but man...he sure makes it sound believable. Like I don't think he has EVER used a map or a GPS when we travel. Somehow someway he know exactly how to get us where were going. He can seriously fix anything. He is the ultimate handyman. He knows every song known to man, and sports trivia? Insane I tell you. Except once he told me he invented pig tails, and was a backstreet boy...and that's aside from the point but I BELIEVED IT FOR THE LONGEST TIME. Anyway, I love my dad. He works so hard to provide for our family and give us everything we want. I wouldn't trade him for the world. And dad if you are reading this I know a really great birthday present you could get yourself and perhaps your favorite child. 2 tickets to Omaha for the CWS. But don't feel pressured into anything. I LOVE YOU DAD. More than anything.

Sunburns in February

I love where I live. I love it so dang much. The weather is seriously pristine and everything about st. george is perfection. It's freakin Feb guys and I wore shorts and a T-shirt all weekend! Watched baseball games, drank root beer from a glass bottle, walked around barefoot, and soaked up the sun with my friends. Summer I'm so ready for ya!

A bitter sweet experience

Last Thursday was senior night. And everyone knows how emotional that can get. Last region home game, potentially last home game for the seniors ever. Especially with this group of girls, having played together for so long and going through it all with each other. But that wasn't the only reason it was going to be emotional. I was told I would be starting. Even though it would only be for a brief moment, my name would be called and I would run through the tunnel for the first time this season. Just thinking about it made me wanna cry. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't have those "first game" jitters. I was the last one to be called, "at a guard, senior, number 3 Autumn Shipp!" I was overcome with emotion as I received a standing ovation and hobbled as fast as I could through the tunnel. My teammates all have me a hug before tip off. We let the other team (Hurricane) win the tip, and score a layup so that my team could pass to me at the other end of the court and I could get a shot off. I missed my jump shot, which beeteedubs I was not happy about..I had good intentions if going one hunnud percent on the season;) then meg got the rebound, this is hilarious, goes back up with the shot..misses, so I run over to get and tell GIVE ME THE BALL, and shoot my layup. It was hilarious. Everyone was cheering for me as I walked off the court, that's when I couldn't hold in the tears. It was so bittersweet. I wished so badly I could stay out there, on my court, with my teammates, and play my game. But I couldn't, and that hurt really bad. It was back to the bench I went. I was sad for a minute, but then ya know what? I realized that, I was so lucky. To get to have at least that one moment, that one memory, and for a second, it almost felt like nothing was wrong...just like it used to be:)

Here's the moment caught on camera:

http://youtu.be/eStTVVyRXqI

Warrior Pride.

Our boys basketball team has been doing so good this year! It's so fun to have a competitive team that's exciting to watch. Chandler Gines just returned from an ACL injury...and he has been lighting it up. Seriously, the kid is AMAZING. He doesn't know how much of an impact he has had on my whole outlook of things. Gabe Jensen just barely started playing again, he also just got back from and ACL tear. He's slowly trying to work back into things, but he's looking good out there It's good to see them back at something they love. Kallan Webster also has had his trials this season, from getting a cancerous mole surgically removed, to sprained ankles...he's been a huge part of the team. And there's some super good juniors and sophomores that contribute. Region 9 is so competitive, and so Intense. From rivalries and insane coaches to the worlds most hated ref (Phil). It's crazy. The crowd the student sections. The fight me and megan ha e to put up for a friggin front row seat. That's what highschool is all about! I love every minute of it! Plus the celebratory after parties are so fun with all the friends. I wouldn't trade being a warrior for anything!

Little brother

I guess everyone has that connection with the baby of the family, but my little brother is so special to me. No offense to my other brothers, but Ledger definitely got the best looks. He is so freakin cute. And he is growing up so fast, I hate it so much. Ledger LOVES...and I mean loves, like basically lives for baseball, basketball and football. I think it's because he has grown up around it so much, and because Britton plays. He would go to all of his practices, and down to the field on the weekends with all the boys and my dad. he always comes home saying, "Aut I hit so many homeruns!" He knows more about sports, players and teams than I do and he's 6. He'd be in his full get up for his t-ball games, eyeblack, phiton necklace, arm sleeve, sweat band, he even had the tiniest under armour sliding shorts. SO CUTE! Oh and he slid head first into every base. Like what little kid does that? The day before a game he sleeps in his uniform, and shoes...it's so funny. I guess you'd just have to see it, to know all of his funny little tendancies. But he is so sweet to me, My most favorite thing is when night time rolls around...I say "leddy, i love you." and he'll say "I love you more." then I'll say "I love you most." and he'll add "I love you mostest." then "I love you a million." "I love you a google." and it just keeps going and going. He is so good to snuggle with me, and give me kisses and hugs. He really is such a good little boy. I'm lucky to have a brother like him.

My girl Meg

My best friend, Megan Leavitt. She is so great. And I am literally SO grateful for her. She just sent off a missionary and it has been really hard for her, but it's meant a lot to me that she has come to me to comfort her. We will always be there for eachother, no matter what. I have to give her credit. She handled a boyfriend and a best friend pretty dang good. I go back and look through pictures and literally 90% of them are with Meg. We have had way too many memories to count. And I just sit here, I laugh because we are so freakin hilarious. Like we have almost been kidnapped 5 times, killed 6 times, arrested 3 times, drowned 4 times, crashed 10 times, given a record deal 7 times, and classified as obese 289 times. Thinking about having to move on and go to college without her makes me super sad. She is my go to girl, I call her and tell her everything the second it happens. Same with her. We basically live at eachothers houses, eat all of eachothers food, yell at eachothers siblings. Megan is such a good person, inside and out. She is one of the prettiest girls I know, and I would die for all 6 feet of her long tan legs. She is a beaut. We have this grand idea, that we are going to take a spontaneous road trip to California, not telling anyone. Take a camera, a swimsuit and some pocket change, and just Go. We want to take a trip together so bad, we want to take a tip to europe next summer...too bad we're broke and can't save money worth a lick. It's a problem. Oh well, lemonade stand maybe? Anyway...I'm so glad to call her my best friend. She is the Salt to my Pepper. The shaz to my natz. The wheel to my axel. The milk to my cookie. The grilled to my cheese. The...okay that's good. Y'all get my pint. SHE IS THE SHIZ. And if i wasn't into boys I would deffs marry her. Here is a little bit of nonsense you might want to know about us.

Our FAVORITE thing to do is drive around in Meg's truck and blast music, to some of our fav songs: Anything Nicki Minaj, Get Low, Yeah!, Anything TSwift, I'm N luv wit a Stripper (hahahaha), Lollipop Remix, Beez in the Trap, Love Don't Run, the Snowman Song, Love Like Woe, Show Stopper, Shoulda Been a Cowboy, Ms. Officer, Miss New Booty, And like soooo many more.

We also like to run over traffic cones when no one is looking.

We spent our life savings at Mcdonalds 2 summers ago.

Some of our best memories together are at Lake powell tubing. (LOLZYYYY)

We once made pet rocks and lost them on a walk.

Megan let my dog off his leash one time cause she was mad at me, and he got lost.

We almost got kidnapped by a native american.

We were obsessed with 24 and Jack Bauer...still are.

We have this voice we like to talk in and we call it Corn Dog Talk.

We have a serious problem when we are together, but it's not something to share with the public.

We like to go to airport hill and just talk and chill.

We make up words and sayings and use them till we can no longer stand the thought of them.

We are obsessed with the Bachelor and Bachelorette.

There was a point in our lives when the only thing we cared about was Justin Bieber.

We used to go to the lake every day and ride the jet ski and sing girls just wanna have fun at the top of our lungs.

We like to spy on people and let small rodents go into places they shouldn't be.

Tomater Sanmiches.

Oh and we really like Orange Peach Mango Juice.