25

I had my silver anniversary of living this life on the 9th.

25 years. holla.

in order to demonstrate my extreme gratitude and excitement for these 25 years of life

I present to you

Top 25 things about Ali's 25 years (in no particular order):

1

marrying Perris Kusilek

2009

2

joining my lovely parents and sisters to live with on the earth

family=greatest blessing

1985

3

being alive to witness 2 other sweet sisters join our family

1991, 1996

4

witnessing one of those sisters being sealed to our family in the temple, which was one of the most powerful experiences of my life

1997

5

moving various times and experiencing (and loving!) change

from texas, to california, to england, to virginia, to alabama, to virginia, to nebraska, to virginia, to utah, to argentina, to utah

6

graduating college

2006

7

becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

yes!

1993

8

learning a second language: el Español. obvio.

9

becoming an aunt to 6 nieces and 2 nephews (to date)

10

montgomery, alabama. circa 1994. 4th grade, in the cafeteria, new-found-ability to wiggle my ears.

11

walking hundreds of miles while

serving as a full-time missionary in La Patagonia, Argentina

2006-2008

12

making some of my dearest, most sincerest friends on the other side of the world

13

becoming a professional recreation therapist

(professional in my title, not in the heart. seriously folks)

2008

14

witnessing the miracle of birth

2004

15

life lesson:

learning that you can be friends, even one of the best friends, with someone who is like strawberries, while you're more like mustard.

"good together, but gross when mixed" is not true.

2008

16

gaining a 2nd family. kusileks & bates

2009

17

college friends=life friends

ann, lynette, carrie, dara, bethany, cindy...and the list continues

18

mission friends=life friends

steed, allen, richardson, tauiliili, mikkleson, tracy, , jacobsen, zambrano, ceriotti, otaño, jacob, kirtley, tócamo...y la lista sigue

19

reading the book of mormon

20

knowing it's true

21

interviewing my maternal grandparents and catching a glimpse into their lives

cir. 2003

22

being named after my great-grandmother and wanting to know her

(Alice)

23

my bed, back room, Gaiman, Argentina. writing a Christmas letter to my family with my testimony and knowing, for sure, without a doubt knowing that Jesus Christ lives

2007

24

life lesson:

failing. it's been good for me

1985-2010

25

learning, seeing, and understanding examples of forgiveness and sacrifice. especially so from my mother, father, aunts, and grandparents.

thank you.

i've got a lot more plans to add to this list, so sit tight! 25 more years=a whole lotta more experience and lovin' to live for!