42.

there is a first time for everything.
and today was 2 firsts ;)
~drove a tractor for the first time this morning
~rode a racking horse for the first time
i went to the stables to help muck stalls and do barn chores this morning (the barn is for sure one of my favoritest places to be....like ever.) b/c ms. sharon just had surgery and is unable to do barn chores. mr.gab had be back the tractor out of the barn (with the manure trailer hooked to it...it was pretty tricky) and take it through the field to spread the manure.
i was quite proud of myself. haha
then we went up to the house for a coffee/hot chocolate break and sat in the kitchen getting warm and talking. *love*
later i got to ride one of the horses mr. gab has been working with.
i had never rode a racking horse before so i was excited. it was so nice and smooth. nothing like i'm used to!! ;)
ended the night with youth group and we had some awesome heart-to-heart discussion time. i am so encouraged.
this weeks challenge is to BE HAPPY...

41.

dad's valentines day gift from mom ;)

a huge jug of world class chocolate-his favorite

finally got around to writing a blog post on reflection....you can read it here.

so i was happy to finally get that done and off my chest.

mom and dad went out on an early valentines day dinner date tonight.

so of course that means kids night ;)

i picked up pizza on my way home for dinner, made brownies and we watched 2 episodes of Monk on tv.

also started my weekend journal for psychology class. we have to record *everything* we do, everything we eat, everywhere we go, etc.

it actually feels really weird to write down eeeeevery little thing i do  in a day.

but its kinda interesting too.

40.

God doesn't promise an explanation for 
the things that he does or doesn't allow,
 but he does promise that 
he'll walk with us through the pain. 
|| Courageous


i realized that i hadn't taken any pictures of my horse in a long time.
heck, i haven't even rode my horse in forever :( :(
its sooo extremely wet here and keeps raining so much that the ground doesn't have time to dry out! but hopefully soon i'll be back in the saddle ;)

39.

Remembrance walk

and this is why i love small country towns...
tonight i attended a 'march' against bullying and in remembrance of the young girl who committed suicide yesterday.
the police department reported that there was over 2,000 people who came...now that is what a community is supposed to do! <3
the local news channel and the local newspaper were there, cars on the highway stopped and waited for us to pass (southern respect...love it!! for real. it was awesome!) and we had police escort.
i feel so incredibly BLESSED to have been part of such an awesome thing.
my heart is so broken for her family and friends. dear Lord, wrap them in your loving arms <3

38.

 pretty sure my book bag doesnt help my back/neck at all ;)

i have a heavy heart tonight.
a young girl that goes to the local high school took her own life this morning.
it is such a tragic loss and my heart breaks for her family and friends.
i dont know them personally, but i know a ton of people who do.
i can not imagine how hard this must be for them.

let this be an eye opener...tell the ones you love how you feel every chance you get. tomorrow is never promised!!

God heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. || psalm 147:3

37.

had some really good conversations with friends today...
God has been opening my eyes to the pain and suffering in the world.
it breaks my heart!

36.

 Chili <3 with lots of cheese!

super bowl sunday...
woke up still in a lot of pain so i went back to bed with a heating pad
and skipped sunday school and just went to the regular church service.
which was a bad idea. i was miserable the whole time.
came home, took pain killer, and went back to bed with the a heating pad for about 3.5 hours.
finally woke up feeling a little bit better. PTL!!!
helped mom get ready for our super bowl party...
during half time ms. dale, mom, and i watched marcel the shell, charlie bit me, and several blimey cow videos on youtube.
soooo many laughs! <3