Just an Ordinary Day

Today has been another one of those wonderfully hectic days that really feels like five days in one. I stayed in a tent in Maggie’s back yard last night with some of my favorite people in the world. We stayed up hours past when I normally fall asleep, and we did some crazy things on a whim that I would not do on a typical day. I left there fairly early this morning, and we dropped Maggie off at work on my way to the barn. I stayed there with Sky for the majority of the day. I just found out today that Taylor Ridge Farm has a website. There’s a picture of me and my partner in crime on it, and I didn’t even know. It’s a really old picture, so apparently this website has been around for a while. Check it out to get a glimpse of the place I love! We went to see Wall E tonight. I honestly didn’t know what to think of it. There wasn’t much talking, so I quickly lost interest. It also just was not my kind of movie. Although, I must say that the folks making this movie did an excellent job of getting an important point across. Kudos to them.

Tomorrow is Freedom. That just gets me all excited. I’m extremely bummed that I will not be there next week. On that day, I will be in a van with 8 other people on our way to Kentucky. I’m pretty excited about that, but I absolutely do not like missing a beat if at all possible. I will be listening to the podcast though. : )

Geez Madi

So, I mentioned yesterday that I was planning on going to hang out with some old youth people last night. I went, and I enjoyed seeing everyone so very much. John and Missy started this awesome new thing called “On Fire Ministries.” They are helping so many kids that normally wouldn’t go to church grow in their relationship with Christ. They meet on Thursdays in Euharlee, so anyone who wants to check it out should. It was a bizarre thing for me to jump right back into all of the craziness. It’s always a good kind of fun crazy over there though. I was kind of sad and happy at the same time. I was happy to be there with all of those people who were like family to me, but I was sad because I noticed just how much I’ve changed over the past few years, and how I fit into a different place now. Don’t get me wrong, I love where I’m at and I wouldn’t change anything. It was almost like I stepped back in time. I thought I would miss it more than I do. It’s bittersweet that I don’t miss anything. I don’t even know how to explain it. Today I vaguely remember what went on last night. Probably because I had so many things running through my head. It’s just freaky weird like I thought it would be.

Weird

Well, today I went swimsuit shopping. Never do that when you’re in a not-so-good mood. It’s no fun. I found nothing and I am going to a swim party tomorrow. Yep. I don’t really enjoy swimming, and I only got in the water one time last summer. I have yet to get in this summer. Right now, I am preparing to go to a Bible study type thing with some old youth people. It’s one of those things that makes you anxious. I haven’t seen some of these people in over a year and a half. It’s freaky weird. When things started going bad at the old church, I kind of had to totally disconnect from most of the people. Not that there was anything wrong with the people, it was just best that we start new. I’m actually very glad that we did, but I sometimes miss some of my old friends. I do not miss the way things were, I just miss a few certain people. I am so happy with where I am right now that words cannot express how I feel. Coming to Freedom helped me figure out where I need to be and how things should be. I feel almost like I’m restarting. I did not pick up where I left off. Instead, I totally wiped the slate clean and started all over with a few people I had known for a good long while. By the way, thank you to the Boye and Goss families for introducing me to so many wonderful new friends. Change is a very good thing sometimes. Freedom is honestly making me want to look at colleges super close to Acworth because I don’t want to miss a beat. It’s kind of funny. I’ll just see where God takes me. It’s been a wild ride with so many twists and turns already, and I’m only 16. Who knows where I’ll be 2 years from now.

Insanely Insane

Well, yesterday was Tuesday, and we all know that Freedom Softball games are on Tuesdays. That’s pretty much what I block my entire evening off for. I was kind of bummed because last night’s game was the last one I get to go to. Kathryn and I made t-shirts for this one, and we were planning on just the two of us going. Two turned into five somehow, and we just brought a big group to cheer on Freedom. Evan was torn because she goes to Eagle Pointe, and Freedom played their team last night. It was an insanely crazy night at my house last night because I hadn’t been with any of those people, with the exception of Kathryn, all summer. Evan is one of my best friends in the whole world, and I didn’t even talk to her until Monday. That was literally the first time all summer. Zero phone calls other than that. It was so funny watching everyone interact after not being together for so long. Nobody’s personality has changed in the slightest over the past years. I am still one who calmly keeps everyone in line and cooks and washes clothes for everyone who needs it, Maggie is still the crazy one who can stay up all night long and sleep until 4 in the afternoon, Erin is still the people person who can get along with anyone and loves being with people, Evan is the spontaneous one who does dangerous things just to scare me, and Kathryn still loves to be the center of attention (and she will freely tell you that, so I’m not being mean). It’s funny how all of those different personalities can blend so nicely together. Needless to say, we pretty much had fun last night. Erin and Kathryn had to leave the house at 7:30 this morning for babysitting and gymnastics, and Evan woke me up when she left at 8 to go running. Maggie is still asleep…go figure. haha. I honestly have no idea what I am going to do today. I will probably clean the house…again, and just chill. That would be nice.

What’s Been Up

Well, my internet was actually down for an entire week. I thought I was going to go crazy for a while, but I found other things to do. It being down put me way behind on my driver’s ed, and a little behind in my blogging.  Here are the high points of my week:

I went to the barn on Thursday. I got brave, and shared something that God had laid on my heart to share with that particular group of people. I was so incredibly nervous, but I got through it. I just pray that whoever God wanted to “get it” got it. I had been bathing that time in prayer for about a week, and I finally broke down some of the barriers and just did it.

I drove up to Alabama with Mom and Mitchell to spend the day with Nana on Friday. It was good. Saturday was the Bears 4 Hope fundraiser. I am so excited to see that Madelyn and her friends saw a need, and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet it. Way to go girls! I pray that more young people take the initiative to do things like that. I think it’s pretty much awesome!

Freedomwas great on Sunday. I was very confused being in a different building while we were unloading Kenny’s buddy Penske. Kenny was sorely missed. We had a boatload of kids during that one service, and they all absolutely loved the inflatables and ice cream! : ) Who wouldn’t?

Went to the barn today. A horse named Lightning came so we could try him out for a little girl who is getting a horse. After about 20 minutes of lunging and 5 minutes of riding, Ms. Cathy decided that he was not the one. I was kind of sad because he was a nice mover, and such a personable horse. Just not right for that little girl. Oh well.

The rest of the summer looks incredibly busy. 3 nights in Kentucky, 7 in Florida, and another summer camp at the barn. Summer is flying by. It kind of saddens my heart.

72 Cookies and Some Crazy Dreams

So, I have not typed in 2 or 3 days because our internet has been down. I try to use Dad’s wireless card whenever I can. I told my family, “Somebody could have a baby and I wouldn’t know it.” Our power went out on Monday for about an hour while Mitchell and I were chilling at home. Mom was off doing something and Dad was on his way home. They don’t really like us wandering around outside when they aren’t there, so we were stuck here, inside, with no power. Yeah, it wasn’t too much fun. We organized the DVD cabinet. After a while, we became extremely bored and decided to pull out my laptop and play name-that-tune with my iTunes. That lasted until the power came back on, actually.

Yesterday, Kathryn came over. We made about 72 orange baseball cap-shaped cookies for the softball game. We didn’t realize how much we were making. Oops. So, I’m stuck with about 30 at my house. We went to the game, it was pretty intense in a few parts, and we had so much fun.

I had bizarre dreams last night. During one, I was at the barn, and it was like a flashbak to Fridays horse show. I went out to Sky’s pasture and called her name, and Smash comes out of nowhere charging me. He then proceeded to jump 2- 4 ft. tall fences that were only about a foot apart. That was a strange dream. Some other things went on, but now I cannot seem to remember them. I had one about snakes, lizards, Red Top Mountain, the road that runs by my school, and a several random friends that have never met each other in reality, but knew each other pretty well in my dream. It was so strange.

I am spending the day with Gram today, spending the day at the barn tomorrow, and I may go to Alabama on Friday with my mom. So, it will be a busy week. I’m just praying that the internet is fixed very soon. : )  

My Dad

As everyone knows, today is the day to recognize fathers and all that they do. In my opinion, this should be a daily event, so it kind of saddens my heart to see people who only thank their dad on Father’s Day.

I was thinking over the past week or so, and I have come to the conclusion that my dad has got to be the greatest on the planet. I know everyone says that about their own dad, but God specifically designed certain dads for certain kids, so everyone is right in assuming that theirs is the best. My dad has always set an excellent example for me to follow. He can often be found talking to God, diving into the Word of God, and inviting people to church so they can experience all that God has to offer. This is such an important quality for a father to have. He’s always looking to stay in the center of God’s will. 

I love to talk to my dad about anything. I know that whatever I tell him is just between us, and I try to return the favor when he tells me things. My favorite time that I spend with him is on Sunday mornings. Ever since he ran technical stuff at Northside, I would ride to church early with him, get a biscuit, and help fold bulletins and clean up before church started. It’s still one of my favorite times of the whole week now that we are at Freedom. We just talk about the week, interesting people we’ve come across, what’s going on at church, and we occasionally come up with ever-so-mischievous plans to have a little fun with the people we know. Mom doesn’t always approve of these plans, but we sometimes go through with them anyway. We’ve actually had one in the works since around Christmas. We’ll see if we can pull it off.

I’m thankful that I was not raised in a house that constantly encouraged Barbie dolls and pop stars, because I bond with my dad through the outdoors a good bit. We’ll go out to the lake, go fishing, go for a ride in the convertible, or spend some time hanging out with the horse. I’m thankful that we have a close relationship because most girls my age simply do not get along with their parents.

Anyway, I could type for days about how much my dad means to me, but I would probably bore everyone. So, I’ll end it here.

Days Four and Five

Day four was a whirlwind. There was all too much going on, and a little bit of drama got thrown into the mix and made the day not as good as it could have been for some people. But, it ended up being good. We ran through the entire show that morning and cleaned tack and bathed horses that afternoon. I forgot how white Sky could get. The kids walked by the wash rack and asked which horse she was because you can see her blue spots when she’s wet. They didn’t believe that it was Sky. They were cracking me up.

Well, that night I went to Wal-Mart and Michael’s to get some costume stuff. I worked on my costume as well as Sky’s and made counselor t-shirts. Ansley’s mom made them last year, and nobody was going to this year, so I just kind of took it upon myself. I have got to stop doing that. If somebody asked me to go buy 50 drinks from Starbucks for them, I probably would, no joke. I might even go to a Starbucks in Canada…and walk back if that’s what they wanted. If it’s something harmless, I have an extremely hard time saying “NO!”

Today was the big show. My girls did very well considering they had really never been around horses before. I was very proud of them. Such good kids. I’m going to miss them when they go back to Alabama. Show day is always crazy because there are 8 different classes and we have to switch horses, kids, and saddles in a matter of seconds to keep everything going. It gets hectic in the barn. The counselor’s costume class went well. Sky was pretty much adorable in her Dorothy costume and braids. Everybody got so creative this year. It was amazing to see what everyone comes up with, and how they put their own spin on it. I am seriously thinking Phantom of the Opera for July. I could be Christine, and she could be the Phantom.

The Lollis family came over for dinner tonight. They are such lovely people. I just enjoy spending time with them so much. They’re very fun to talk to, and they tell some of the best stories I have ever heard. Brayden and Anniston have to be two of the cutest children in the history of the world. I think my mother wants to adopt them or something. haha.

Day Three

So, we are officially more than halfway finished with camp TRF. It has gone very well, and I think everyone has had fun. We started out today with riding. Ms.Cathy and I quickly determined that Sky was not a good one to use because she only knows how to go fast. We let Em ride Hottie and Elizabeth ride Hobby. That went much better, and they ended up getting over not getting to ride Sky. We practiced the halter class a little bit. That was good practice for Sky. She needed it greatly.

We ate lunch early today, and the kids painted picture frames after we ate. Someone got the bright idea to paint them-self, so it turned into one big face painting war. I had a line of little girls wanting me to paint flowers on them. It was pretty cute, and I willingly covered them in pink paint. Those parents should be very happy because that stuff is tough to get off once it’s all the way dry.

After painting, we broke out the slip-n-slide. They always love that. Of course, there are always a few who don’t want to get wet. Hannah and I took the liberty to tell them the timeless “Secret Passageway in Chisum’s stall” story. We hadn’t told any of those kids yet. It’s one of those things that’s been around for a while. All of us older ones have heard the story. When you are told the story, you go looking for it, and someone locks you in the stall. These kids were too entertaining to lock in. They were rummaging around in that stall kicking the boards and digging through the shavings. This went on for an hour and a half. That is the absolute longest it has ever lasted. We really encouraged them to look hard when they couldn’t find it, and every now and then we’d hear, “You guys, we think we found it.” It was so great. A couple of the older ones caught on, but there was even a 10 year old in there looking for it. That is probably the best thing we tell kids. Some of the other memorable ones were:

-telling Darby that eating fish food would make her swim better (she ate it)

-telling Jennifer about the Leprechauns that ride bunnies, only come out in the evening during spring, and can turn into grasshoppers. (she had her dad outside at 10 that night, and wouldn’t go in until she caught one…we got complaints)

-telling Jessica that Gatorade kills all of your brain cells (in all reality, she just had too much sugar)

-telling Darby that if she went to the outhouse a lizard would crawl out of the hole and bite her rear (she wouldn’t use the restroom at the barn for almost a year)

Day Two

Day two started out crazy, and ended the same. It was the first day for the kids to ride, so when I got there we put out all the saddles and tack boxes. When my girls got there, I could tell something wasn’t right with Elizabeth. She had the most pitiful look on her face and was tugging at her ears. I didn’t mention it while we got Sky out to brush her. She kept on looking all pitiful, so I asked her what was wrong. She said she was a little hoarse, but she would be all right. We went on like normal and I took Emily Grace out to ride. To have never ridden before, she did extremely exceptional on Sky. I went back in to switch saddles and Elizabeth told me she wasn’t feeling well at all, so we called her grandmother, who told her to stick it out because she lives in Marietta. I felt so bad for her all day. She didn’t ride, didn’t color, didn’t play in the pools, and didn’t even eat lunch or tie-dye shirts. Anyway, she had spots in her throat by the end of the day, so I’m praying I don’t get sick.

Tie-dyeing was probably the highlight of my day. The worst part was matching sizes to kids and writing the names on the tags. The rest went very smoothly. We had just enough colors for each counselor to be in charge of one. I picked green. Bad choice on my part. The bottle leaked, and by the time everyone was finished, my hands were literally black. I tried everything from soda ash to alcohol to get that stuff off. It faded a bit, and is now purple-ish gray. It looks really nasty all up around my fingernails.

Well, I am going to get a shower and get ready for the softball game. I’m pretty excited because I haven’t been to one in two or three weeks.